Open access is about more than finding free full-text articles. For evidence synthesis, openness can extend across the entire research process—from protocols and search strategies to screening, data, analysis, and publication. Making these components openly available can improve the transparency, reproducibility, and accessibility of evidence synthesis.

In this session, participants will explore what it means to build an open evidence synthesis and examine the different ways researchers can make their methods and outputs more accessible. The workshop will consider open access to the underlying literature as well as open practices such as protocol registration, sharing search strategies, documenting methods, and making data, code, and other research materials available when appropriate.

The session will also address the limitations and responsibilities of open research, including copyright, licensing, privacy, and the distinction between making research accessible and making research trustworthy. Participants will consider how open practices can be incorporated into evidence synthesis from the beginning of a project rather than added after publication.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Define open access and describe how it applies to evidence synthesis
• Identify opportunities to incorporate open practices throughout the evidence synthesis process
• Describe approaches for locating openly available research and full-text literature
• Recognize evidence synthesis materials that can be shared openly, including protocols, search strategies, data, and analysis code
• Explain how open practices can improve the transparency and reproducibility of evidence synthesis
• Recognize ethical, legal, and practical considerations when sharing research materials
• Develop a basic framework for making an evidence synthesis more open and accessible

Who should attend:
Researchers, clinicians, trainees, and staff conducting or supporting systematic reviews, scoping reviews, or other forms of evidence synthesis.

Format:
Lecture-style presentation with opportunities for discussion and Q&A.

🏆Eligible for 1 CME credit