The HRA recently carried out a survey as part of our strategic objective to improve research transparency. The survey aimed to establish some of the current obstacles to transparency, and to identify future opportunities to improve practices.
Why did they run the survey?
They wanted to see what researchers, researcher managers, sponsors and funders understand by the phrase research transparency: what it is and why its important. They also wanted to hear what they think about their own practice in relation to research transparency, and what helps or hinders them.
The survey was not designed to check compliance with research transparency requirements or best practice. The HRA are using the findings to inform our policy work and our communications to the research community. Most of the questions asked for a free-text response, so the results give them an impression rather than any firm conclusions.
To read more and see the full results of the survey see the HRA website.