Research on Research. Strengthening relevant, good-quality research

Good research satisfies the requirements of relevance, quality and transparency. Good research and reliable research results facilitate public confidence in science and increase the chances of knowledge utilisation in policy, professional practice, (further) research and/or education and, with that, ensure that research results can make impact.

However, this cannot be taken for granted within the context of increasingly complex societal issues and new developments such as Recognition & Rewards, that will change ways of thinking, working and organising. It is therefore necessary to reflect on the functioning of the research system (structures), research practices (cultures and working methods), governance and funding of research to learn how we can promote and safeguard responsible research practices and reliable, reproducible scientific knowledge.

By collecting more knowledge about, for example, scientific integrity, transparency and the reproducibility of research, we learn how we can continue to encourage responsible research. We do this together with NWO so that we can encourage good research across the full breadth of science.

We have stimulated research on research through various programmes, from fundamental (bio)medical research through to practice-oriented implementation research. With the knowledge acquired from the programmes Fostering Responsible Research Practices (FRRP) and Replication Studies (RS), the first step has been taken towards the structural and systematic investigation of the science system. Empirical knowledge from these programmes provides insights we can use to reinforce what goes well and identify possible improvements.

• Fostering Responsible Research Practices (FRRP)
  The projects of the FRRP programme provide insight into the factors that facilitate or hinder “good science”. In addition, new developments such as Open Access publishing, making data FAIR, Citizen Science and a different approach to Recognition and Rewards are changing how research is done. This requires new insights so that responsible research practices are encouraged and safeguarded, both now and in the future.ZonMw programme Fostering Responsible Research Practices
  Go to the projects of Fostering Responsible Research Practices
• Replication Studies (RS)
  The projects from the programme Replication Studies offered researchers the opportunity to repeat research carried out by others (replication). This concerned the replication of studies with a considerable influence on science, government policy or the public debate. This was the first specific funding programme for replication research in the world. The aim was to facilitate innovation in science and encourage researchers to carry out replication research.
  NWO programme Replication Studies
  Go to the projects of Replication Studies

We identify opportunities to encourage good research and optimise the role that research funding plays in this. Amongst other things, Research on Research must pay attention to everyday scientific practice, but also to new movements such as a more comprehensive approach to Recognition and Rewards and Open Science. This is also put forward in the position paper Promoting Responsible Research Practices and the strategy of the FRRP think tank.

• Position Paper Promoting Responsible Research Practices

This position paper provides an overview of the current state of the (inter)national debate, initiatives and results, and the need for new research. Important themes in this area include the system of peer review and the role of education.
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• FRRP think tank strategy

The FRRP think tank strategy contains various priorities that should be focused on in the future, such as Open Science, future science, scientific integrity and societal relevance.
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On this page, the results and products can be found from projects within the programmes of Research on Research: Facilitating Responsible Research Practices (FRRP) and Replication Studies (RS).