Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PathOS (Open Science Impact Pathways)
Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2025-08-31
Open Science adoption across the EU, central to the European Research Area and digital transformation goals, requires evidence-based policy decisions, yet understanding of causal impacts and mechanisms remains fragmented. PathOS addressed this gap by developing frameworks to identify, measure, and validate Open Science (OS) impact pathways across scientific, economic, and societal dimensions.
The project’s objectives were to:
(1) model OS impact pathways through evidence synthesis and case studies,
(2) quantify OS impacts via an indicator handbook across academic, economic, societal, and reproducibility domains,
(3) operationalize and test indicators through data-driven case studies exploring causal mechanisms,
(4) develop and apply a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) methodology tailored to OS, and (5) foster inclusive participation through training, workshops, and community engagement to promote systematic adoption of OS impact assessment.
The project’s objectives were to:
(1) model OS impact pathways through evidence synthesis and case studies,
(2) quantify OS impacts via an indicator handbook across academic, economic, societal, and reproducibility domains,
(3) operationalize and test indicators through data-driven case studies exploring causal mechanisms,
(4) develop and apply a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) methodology tailored to OS, and (5) foster inclusive participation through training, workshops, and community engagement to promote systematic adoption of OS impact assessment.
Evidence-based Key Impact Pathways were validated through systematic literature reviews, stakeholder workshops, and empirical case studies. Three peer-reviewed papers explored academic, economic, and societal OS impacts, while a synthesis report translated findings into policy recommendations. The PathOS OS Impact Indicator Handbook introduced indicators for diverse OS practices with clear methodologies and datasets, forming a foundation for reproducible measurement. Indicators were refined through case study operationalisation and community sprints. Six case studies explored Open Access effects on climate-AI research persistence and gender equity, repository type influences on social sciences data reuse, COVID-19 data reusability impacts, RCAAP infrastructure’s industry visibility, ELIXIR bioinformatics benefits, and French OA platform reach beyond academia. These produced new causal evidence, reusable datasets, and tools. PathOS also developed a dedicated CBA framework, applying it to ELIXIR’s UNIPROT and RCAAP infrastructures using mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches. Training and engagement activities integrated methodologies into a coherent programme, accompanied by policy briefs, factsheets, and an Open Science resource hub. The project ensured strong coordination, quality assurance, and dissemination through effective management and advisory oversight.
PathOS delivered methodological advances and tangible outcomes bridging a long-standing gap in OS impact assessment. Key achievements include: a comprehensive impact framework linking Key Impact Pathways to an evidence-based theory of change for OS interventions; a specialised CBA methodology integrating causal and quantitative evaluation; and three published scoping reviews systematically analysing OS impacts across academic, economic, and societal dimensions. The OS Impact Indicator Handbook emerged as a sustainable, community-editable platform consolidating indicators, methods, and reusable software. Case study analyses produced empirical evidence across diverse contexts, complemented by a cross-sector training programme integrating all PathOS methodologies and outputs. These results feed into a consolidated set of policy briefs and recommendations translating scientific findings into actionable implementation strategies, guiding future monitoring and policy development for Open Science in Europe.