Open Science in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine: A Statement From the Behavioral Medicine Research Council

• Published in: Health psychology Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 287 - 298
• Main Authors: Segerstrom, Suzanne C., Diefenbach, Michael A., Hamilton, Kyra, O'Connor, Daryl B., Tomiyama, A. Janet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Psychological Association 01-05-2023
• Subjects: Behavioral Medicine; Behavioral Research; Health behavior; Health Care Psychology; Health psychology; Human; Humans; Methodology; Open Science; Privacy; Publication Bias; Publishing; Reliability; Reproducibility; Reproducibility of Results; Scientific Communication; privacy; publication bias; reproducibility; methodology
• ISSN: 0278-6133; 1930-7810
• DOI: 10.1037/hea0001236

Open Science practices include some combination of registering and publishing study protocols (including hypotheses, primary and secondary outcome variables, and analysis plans) and making available preprints of manuscripts, study materials, de-identified data sets, and analytic codes. This statement from the Behavioral Medicine Research Council (BMRC) provides an overview of these methods, including preregistration; registered reports; preprints; and open research. We focus on rationales for engaging in Open Science and how to address shortcomings and possible objections. Additional resources for researchers are provided. Research on Open Science largely supports positive consequences for the reproducibility and reliability of empirical science. There is no solution that will encompass all Open Science needs in health psychology and behavioral medicine's diverse research products and outlets, but the BMRC supports increased use of Open Science practices where possible.