Reviewability and supportability: New complementary principles to empower research software practices

Area of Science:

• Life sciences
• Scientific computing

Background:

• Research software has become central to scientific discovery, particularly in life sciences.
• It accelerates data analysis, simulations, and modeling, reducing costs and increasing research pace.
• Software is crucial for ensuring reproducibility, a key aspect of scientific integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the characteristics and evolution of research software.
• To propose two new principles, reviewability and supportability, to enhance software evaluation.
• To guide scientists in developing and understanding best practices for research software.

Main Methods:

• Mini-review of research software characteristics and historical development.
• Analysis of current requirements and guidelines for research software.
• Proposal of new principles complementing existing FAIR principles.

Main Results:

• Research software significantly impacts scientific discovery and reproducibility.
• Existing FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability) are foundational.
• Two new principles, reviewability and supportability, are proposed to improve software evaluation.

Conclusions:

• Well-developed, accessible research software enhances transparency and error detection.
• The proposed principles of reviewability and supportability aim to improve the peer review process for software.
• These principles will assist scientists in adopting best practices for research software development.