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The Open Science Framework (OSF) at Virginia Tech: Center for Open Science

This libguide introduces you to the free research management platform, the Open Science Framework. To access OSF, visit https://osf.io/institutions/vt/

COS Mission

The Open Science Framework was created by the Center For Open Science. COS's mission is to increase the openness, integrity, and reproducibility of research.  The Center for Open Science is working to create a scholarly community where research is open by default.  Their mission includes that:

  • All scholarly content is preserved, connected, and versioned to foster discovery, accumulation of evidence, and respect for uncertainty.
  • Scholarly service providers monetize and compete on quality of service rather than by controlling access to content.  
  • Institutions evaluate researchers based on both the content of their discoveries and the process by which they were discovered, not on where those results are published.  
  • Funders have full insight into the returns on their research investments for prioritizing future investments.  
  • Researchers prioritize getting it right over getting it published, and will receive credit for scholarly contributions beyond the research article such as generating useful data or authoring code that can be reused by others.  
  • Reviewers provide feedback at all stages of the research lifecycle and get credit and reputation enhancement for reviewing.  
  • Librarians apply curation and data management expertise throughout the research lifecycle, not just retrospectively.  
  • Consumers have direct access to review and primary evidence for scholarly claims.  

All stakeholders are included and respected in the research lifecycle and share pursuit of truth as the primary incentive and motivation for scholarship.” COS