Advancing openness in economic research through the lens of behavioral and experimental economics
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: • Open Science adoption can be conceptualized as a process of normative change • A utility-based model can be used to understand individual researchers’ decisions to adopt Open Science • Empirical research on how incentives, research environments and individual differences shape research norm compliance is needed Open Science adoption may be seen as a process of normative change: Researchers must decide whether they will integrate Open Science principles into their work. Here, I outline first steps for developing a utility function, modeling individual researchers’ choices to engage in Open (OS) or Covert (CR) Research. In addition, I suggest examining economic games for their potential to partially model decision settings in which researchers operate. I argue that empirically studying the influence of researcher considerations, research environments and the academic incentive system on research norm compliance is a promising basis for developing targeted interventions and designing effective institutions in which robust and transparent research practices become the norm.
Author: Rima-Maria Rahal
Institution: Vienna University of Economics and Business
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems and Management
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,830
OpenAlex ID: W7084118998