Modern science faces a critical challenge: the reproducibility crisis. Across disciplines, from social sciences to AI research, studies are failing to produce consistent, verifiable results. This crisis threatens not only individual research findings but the very foundation of scientific progress and public trust in research. The TIER2 project, a European Union-funded initiative, aims to raise awareness about reproducibility challenges, build capacity through actionable strategies, and foster a culture of research integrity. To support this goal, the TIER2 project has collaborated with OpenAIRE to launch the TIER2 Reproducibility Training modules on OpenPlato: free, accessible courses designed for researchers, publishers, and practitioners committed to enhancing research integrity.
The Reproducibility Crisis in Research
The reproducibility crisis represents one of the most pressing challenges facing modern science. Across disciplines, researchers struggle with issues of transparency, data management, and methodological consistency, undermining the reliability and trustworthiness of scientific findings. This crisis threatens not only the integrity of individual studies but also public trust in research outcomes and the efficiency of scientific progress.
The TIER2 Project: A Comprehensive Response
TIER2 is a three-year international project funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and UKRI, designed to address reproducibility challenges head-on. The project investigates the causes, consequences, and potential solutions for reproducibility issues across diverse research contexts, focusing on social, life, and computer sciences, as well as research publishers and funders.
Through strategic collaboration with researchers, funders, and publishers, TIER2 employs a co-creation approach to develop practical tools and methodologies. At the heart of the project are eight strategic pilot activities, each tackling specific aspects of the reproducibility challenge, from managing digital research objects throughout their lifecycle to developing innovative monitoring dashboards and reproducibility management plans.
TIER2 Reproducibility Training: Building Capacity for Change
A cornerstone of the TIER2 project is its comprehensive training programme, now freely available on the OpenPlato e-learning platform. The TIER2 Reproducibility Training Course provides researchers, publishers, and funders with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to enhance reproducible research practices.
The training programme is designed to:
- Raise awareness about reproducibility challenges across different research contexts
- Build capacity by providing actionable strategies and practical guidance
- Foster a culture of research integrity that aligns researchers, publishers, and funding organisations on reproducibility goals
Currently, three specialised modules are available online, each addressing critical aspects of reproducibility in specific contexts:
Reproducibility Primer for Publishers
This module introduces publishers to the Editorial Reference Handbook, a practical resource co-created by academics and publishers. It provides in-house editorial staff with operational checks to foster good practices for sharing datasets, software, materials, and other digital objects.
Access the module here.
Reproducibility Primer for Qualitative Research
Addressing the unique reproducibility challenges in qualitative research, this module covers methodological, epistemological, and practical considerations. Structured in four parts with a final quiz, it explores how open science principles apply to qualitative methods.
Access the module here.
Reproducibility Primer for AI-driven Research
This module explains the crucial link between reproducibility and the trustworthiness of AI. It explores barriers (such as inconsistent data collection and lack of transparency) and drivers (including standardised practices and reproducibility tools), showing how these interact to enhance credibility and reliability in AI research.
Access the module here.
Open Access and Self-Paced Learning
All modules are open and freely available, designed for self-paced learning or integration into teaching, training workshops, and seminars. Additional modules covering epistemic diversity studies, tools and best practices, and implementation strategies will be released soon to complete the training program.
Get Started Today
Getting started is simple:
- Create a free account on the OpenPlato platform
- Enrol in the comprehensive TIER2 Reproducibility Training Course or individual modules based on your interests
- Learn at your own pace with interactive content
By completing this program, participants will be equipped to contribute meaningfully to improving research integrity, ultimately strengthening scientific progress and public trust in research outcomes.
We invite you to explore these modules and share them widely to strengthen reproducibility practices across research communities.
About TIER2
TIER2 receives funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101094817.
For more information, visit the TIER2 project website.
