Teaching Open Science in Medical Education: An International Consortium-Based Framework

Medical research faces ongoing challenges related to transparency, reproducibility, and responsible data stewardship, while training in research competencies within medical education varies widely across countries. Open Science and FAIR data principles are increasingly recognized as essential for high-quality biomedical research, yet they are not consistently embedded in medical curricula. This project aims to develop an international, consortium-based framework for teaching Open Science in medical education. The framework focuses on identifying and structuring core scientific competencies that support transparent, reproducible, and responsible research practices, rather than evaluating educational interventions or learner outcomes. The study is conducted by a self-assembled international consortium of researchers and educators from Germany, Peru, South Korea, the United States, and Zambia. Using an exploratory, qualitative, and consensus-oriented approach, contributors collaboratively develop a framework aligned with the research lifecycle. The framework comprises eight interconnected modules, including evidence appraisal, ethical conduct of research, preregistration, FAIR data management, transparent documentation, open statistical methods, open dissemination, and scientific communication. Expected outcomes include a flexible competency framework, illustrative mappings to openly available tools, and openly shareable materials adaptable to diverse educational contexts. The project itself applies Open Science principles through preregistration, transparent documentation, and open dissemination of non-sensitive materials.