Open Source Solutions in Experimental Design: An Introduction to the Symposium

Area of Science:

• Integrative and Comparative Biology
• Open Science practices

Background:

• The Open Science movement advocates for transparency, resource access, and inclusion.
• Practical application of Open Science in experimental design, particularly with open-source hardware and software, faces slow uptake due to perceived complexity and cost.
• Researchers often lack clear starting points for integrating open-source solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To increase awareness and lower the barrier to participation in Open Science for biologists.
• To highlight the technical and financial advantages of integrating open-source solutions into experimental design.
• To emphasize the community and collaborative aspects of Open Science.

Main Methods:

• A symposium was organized to showcase innovative experimental designs.
• Early career researchers from the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology presented their work.
• Presentations covered diverse fields including plants, animals, lab-based, field-based, and virtual public engagement.

Main Results:

• The symposium successfully presented a collection of open-source solutions and innovative experimental designs.
• It fostered discussion on the practical implementation of Open Science in biological research.
• It highlighted the potential of open-source tools to reduce costs and increase accessibility.

Conclusions:

• Open Science values of transparency, development, and collaboration align with reducing barriers in science.
• The presented open-source solutions can inspire researchers to adopt innovative designs.
• Increased awareness and community support are crucial for wider adoption of Open Science in biological experimentation.