Since 2019, the University of California (UC) system has partnered with protocols.io to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in research: the lack of transparent, reproducible methods in scientific publications. This five-year pilot allowed UC researchers free access to the Premium tier plan with tools to create, share, and collaborate on research protocols. The pilot will end on October 31, 2024, however, UC members of protocols.io will be able to continue to utilize their existing accounts at the free Open Research tier going forward. As the pilot concludes, we reflect on its successes and outline what comes next for UC users of this service.
Key Achievements
Throughout the five-year pilot, the UC system saw tremendous growth in user engagement and protocol publication. By enabling access to protocols.io, we made significant strides in improving research practices, as measured by:
- Growth in Researcher Participation: The number of UC researchers using protocols.io grew from 805 to 3,677 across all 10 campuses, reflecting sustained interest in documenting and sharing research methods.
- Public Protocols Published: The number of public protocols increased from 111 to 952, demonstrating the pilot’s success in encouraging researchers to share detailed methodologies openly.
The pilot was also intended to observe the changing Open Science landscape. Based on the metrics above, we consider our pilot a success in achieving the following goals:
- Success in Publishing Protocols: During the pilot period, we saw significant growth in public protocols, supporting the goal of enhancing research reproducibility and rigor, as more detailed methods are now accessible to the broader scientific community.
- Improvement in Transparency: By providing a platform for detailed documentation, the pilot has also made strides in showcasing the transparency of methodology used in research. The consistent increase in users and published protocols suggests a shift towards more open research practices.
What Happens After October 31, 2024?
The following information explains how accounts will be affected as this pilot concludes. Note: Some UC campuses are exploring the possibility of subscribing to protocols.io at an institutional-level. We will post an announcement on the OSC blog if/when those efforts are finalized.
Existing Private Protocols: If you created private groups or protocols during the pilot, you’re in luck—your access to these existing private resources will remain unchanged: Any private protocols and groups created before the end of the pilot will continue to be fully accessible without any interruption. You will also be able to add new private protocols to these groups, preserving continuity in your research workflow.
Transition to Free Open ResearchPlan After the Pilot: Once the pilot concludes, all UC researchers will be transitioned to protocols.io’s (free) Open Research plan. Here’s what that entails:
- Public Protocols: You can continue to create, publish, and collaborate on public protocols without any limitations. Public protocols remain free and open for all users.
- Private Protocols: After October 31, newly created private protocols or groups will be restricted based on protocols.io’s “Open Research” plan parameters. If you wish to continue creating new private groups or protocols beyond this date, you may need to upgrade to a premium plan. Read more about membership tiers below.
- Premium Tools and Collaborative Workspaces: Access to advanced tools and the ability to manage private collaborative workspaces may also require a subscription under the protocols.io Premium plan. If your research involves sensitive data or private collaborations, a paid account may be necessary to maintain these functions.
Future Options for UC Researchers
To continue benefiting from protocols.io after the pilot ends, UC researchers have several options:
- Free “Open Research” Plan: All UC researchers will be transitioned to the free Open Research tier, which includes access to public protocols and basic features. You’ll still be able to create and share public methods without limitations.
- Upgrade to Premium: For those needing private collaboration tools or advanced features, protocols.io offers Premium plans. Researchers or labs relying on private groups can explore subscription options directly through the protocols.io website.
- Explore Other Platforms: If premium access isn’t feasible, protocols.io provides data export options, allowing researchers to migrate their protocols to alternative platforms.
Supporting the Transition
During this transition, protocols.io will offer comprehensive support to help UC researchers navigate the shift from the pilot. Their dedicated customer service team can assist with questions, provide guidance on exporting data, and offer detailed instructions for transitioning to different plantiers. For assistance, contact info@protocols.io.
Expanding the Scholarly Record
The UC system’s protocols.io pilot has been a resounding success, significantly enhancing the publication of detailed methods and improving research transparency. The growth in user adoption and public protocol publication underscores the impact of this initiative. As we move beyond the systemwide pilot, it is crucial for campuses to manage this transition effectively to sustain the positive momentum in research practices.
By continuing to publish their methods and protocols—whether through free or premium options at protocols.io or elsewhere—UC researchers can uphold the principles of Open Science and contribute to a more transparent and reproducible scientific community.
Thank you for your participation and commitment to advancing the research ecosystem over the past five years. Together, we will continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Open Science!
For any further questions or assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to protocols.io customer service at info@protocols.io.
How can UC researchers continue to publish their methods?
After the conclusion of the pilot on October 31, 2024, UC researchers with protocols.io accounts will continue to have access to a free Open Research tier planand can continue to publish methods and/or protocols openly. However, they will no longer have complimentary access to a Premium tier planthrough UC-wide pilot program.
Will UC researchers still have access to public protocols?
Yes, all users of protocols.io, regardless of their plan type, can create and publish public protocols.
What are the protocols.io Premium features and how can UC researchers receive them after the pilot?
After the end of the UC pilot, UC-affiliated users will be transitioned to the free Open Research plan. Please reference the pricing and subscription options on their website for more information.
Tags: Open Access
