An open framework for archival, reproducible, and transparent science

Abstract

Digital computational outputs are now ubiquitous in the research workflow and the way in which these data are stored and cataloged is becoming more standardized across fields of research. However, even with accessible data and code, the barrier to recreating figures and reproducing scientific findings remains high. What is generally missing is the computational environment and associated pipelines in which the data and code are executed to generate figures. The archival, reproducible, and transparent science (ARTS) open framework incorporates containers, version control systems, and persistent archives through which all data, code, and figures related to a research project can be stored together, easily recreated, and serve as an accessible platform for long-term sharing and validation. If the underlying principles behind this framework are broadly adopted, it will improve the reproducibility and transparency of research.