Open and reproducible neuroimaging: From study inception to publication

Abstract

Empirical observations of how labs conduct research indicate that the adoption rate of open practices for transparent, reproducible, and collaborative science remains in its infancy. This is at odds with the overwhelming evidence for the necessity of these practices and their benefits for individual researchers, scientific progress, and society in general. To date, information required for implementing open science practices throughout the different steps of a research project is scattered among many different sources. Even experienced researchers in the topic find it hard to navigate the ecosystem of tools and to make sustainable choices. Here, we provide an integrated overview of community-developed resources that can support collaborative, open, reproducible, replicable, robust and generalizable neuroimaging throughout the entire research cycle from inception to publication and across different neuroimaging modalities. We review tools and practices supporting study inception and planning, data acquisition, research data management, data processing and analysis, and research dissemination. An online version of this resource can be found at https://oreoni.github.io. We believe it will prove helpful for researchers and institutions to make a successful and sustainable move towards open and reproducible science and to eventually take an active role in its future development.

Keywords: EEG; MEG; MRI; Open science; PET; Reproducibility.

Fig. 1.

Study inception and planning For each step, the figure contains the main goals (headings), specific recommendations (bullet list), and useful tools (icons). Sources: Icons from the Noun Project: Registration by WEBTECHOPS LLP; Share by arjuazka; Computer warranty by Thuy Nguyen; Logos: used with permission by the respective copyright holders.

Fig. 2.

Data acquisition For each step, the figure contains the main goals (headings), specific recommendations (bullet list), and useful tools (icons). Sources: Icons from the Noun Project: Brain by parkjisun; Computer Screen by Icon Solid (adapted with a star); Logos: used with permission by the copyright holders.

Fig. 3.

Research data management For each step, the figure contains the main goals (headings), specific recommendations (bullet list), and useful tools (icons). Sources: Icons from the Noun Project: Structure by Adam Baihaqi from NounProject.com; Metadata by M. Oki Orlando; Data Management by ProSymbols; Logos: used with permission by the copyright holders.

Fig. 4.

Data processing and analysis For each step, the figure contains the main goals (headings), specific recommendations (bullet list), and useful tools (icons). Sources: Icons from the Noun Project: Software by Adrien Coquet; Workflow by D. Sahua; Statistics by Creative Stall; Chaos Sigil by Avana Vana; Logos: used with permission by the copyright holders.

Fig. 5.

Dissemination For each step, the figure contains the main goals (headings), specific recommendations (bullet list), and useful tools (icons). Sources: Icons from the Noun Project: Data Sharing by Design Circle; Share Code by Danil Polshin; Data by Nirbhay; Publication by Adrien Coquet; Broadcast by Amy Chiang; Logos: used with permission by the copyright holders.