Credit, recognition, and reward for non-traditional research outputs in the life sciences (Preprint - V2)
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: : Publication metrics act as the primary research performance indicator in modern academia. Consequently, a gap exists in the recognition and reward of increasingly impactful non-traditional outputs (NTOs), such as curated datasets, research software, and training materials. To address this, we examine the technical solutions to help attribute researcher credit as well as the social barriers to recognition and reward. Furthermore, we discuss policy and funder mandate reforms needed to ensure those responsible for NTOs are properly recognized and rewarded in order to accelerate global scientific discovery. Through a first mapping of NTOs illustrated by life science examples of ELIXIR Europe, we have created a digital registry (https://nto-registry.org/) capturing the diversity of NTOs produced by life science researchers to highlight their value for wider consideration in research assessment. This digital resource is hoped to support the understanding of NTOs and related credit capture solutions to foster a productive and sustainable scientific ecosystem. Software and Data releases: https://zenodo.org/records/22307072 Version Note & Platform Shift: Important: This upload represents Version 2 (v2) of this preprint. Due to ongoing operational and stability issues on the MetaArXiv entry on the OSF platform, we are publishing this updated v2 on Zenodo to ensure reliable, long-term access for the community. The original Version 1 upload can be referenced via its original MetaArXiv URL which hosts the original v1 preprint under DOI: https://doi.org/10.31222/osf.io/praxg_v1.
Language: English
Subfield: Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7213244333