‘Ticking a Box’ or Transforming Practice? Open Research Viewpoints from the Humanities

Open research mandates pose challenges for humanities researchers because their methodologies, research practices and publication patterns do not necessarily align with recommendations stemming from experimental, lab-based, and quantitative research. Using semi-structured interviews, this study examines the ways by which open research practices have been understood and adopted by the humanities in Ireland, and their perspectives on funding mandates and future open research policies during the implementation of the National Action Plan for Open Research 2022–2030 . The study finds that humanities researchers are supportive of openness. However, they are concerned that open research mandates and policies are not always aligned with their epistemic cultures and publication practices, and they are anxious about the risks of misuse and misinterpretation of sources and data. “Tick the box” is a key phrase throughout the interviews that demonstrates the perception of open research as bureaucratic and procedural. The article concludes that it is necessary to cultivate flexible, context-sensitive forms of openness, combined with further infrastructure and institutional support attuned to disciplinary differences are necessary before open research mandates are imposed.