ISPOR Sets a New Standard for Research Integrity

In an exciting move to enhance transparency in health economics research, ISPOR, the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research, has unveiled its innovative Open Science Badges initiative. This initiative is designed to honor and promote transparency among researchers, awarding badges to papers published in their flagship journal, 0Value in Health.

What Are Open Science Badges?

These badges, including Preregistered, Open Data, and Open Materials, act as visual markers that celebrate research meeting stringent standards for transparency and reproducibility. They indicate to readers that essential components—like study preregistrations, data sets, and research methodologies—are readily available in public repositories.

Supporting the Open Science Movement

Editors-in-Chief Nancy J. Devlin, PhD, and C. Daniel Mullins, PhD, expressed their enthusiasm: 3Launching the Open Science Badges for Value in Health is a remarkable opportunity to support authors committed to the principles of open science. The addition of these badges aligns with ISPOR's mission to foster trust in research among healthcare decision-makers.

Detailed Badge Requirements

To earn these badges, authors must meet specific criteria: - **Preregistered Badge:** Document research design and materials in a public registration system before data collection. - **Open Data Badge:** Provide data that allows for the reproduction of reported results. - **Open Materials Badge:** Ensure that details are sufficiently comprehensive for others to replicate the research methods.

A Pioneering Step for ISPOR

Authors submitting to 0Value in Health can begin applying for these badges immediately during the manuscript's submission process. The journal is set to implement a review mechanism where authors affirm compliance with badge standards, which will be verified by the editorial team.

Expanding on Existing Transparency Commitments

This initiative builds upon ISPOR's current commitment to data integrity through the Real-World Evidence Registry, developed in collaboration with leading organizations in the field. The registry aims to facilitate transparency by encouraging prior registration of study protocols.

Enhancing Trust in Research

ISPOR’s CEO Rob Abbott emphasized, 3Transparency in research is crucial for building trust and ensuring the rigorous validation of evidence in health economics. He noted that these badges mark a significant advancement in ISPOR's quest for research excellence and enhancing healthcare decision-making.

Joining a Global Movement

The introduction of these badges places ISPOR among more than 100 journals worldwide that recognize transparent research practices, aligning with the Center for Open Science's established standards. The initiative is particularly tailored to support real-world evidence studies and pharmacoeconomic research.

About ISPOR and Value in Health

ISPOR is an international nonprofit dedicated to advancing health economics and outcomes research, facilitating better decision-making in healthcare globally. 0Value in Health serves as an essential resource, reaching over 55,000 readers and hosting impactful research and policy articles in the field.