Open Science: Developments and Disinformation Regarding Scientific Information

Dear Colleagues,

In an era of rapid digital communication and open science initiatives, ensuring the reliability of scientific information is paramount. Open science, with its emphasis on transparency, accessibility, and collaboration, holds the potential to revolutionize research. However, it also faces challenges, particularly when scientific findings are misinterpreted, manipulated, or weaponized to spread misinformation. This call for papers seeks to explore the intersection of open science and the fight against scientific disinformation, encouraging innovative approaches to safeguard the integrity of science while promoting its democratization.

We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:

Open Science Developments

1. The Role of Open Science in Democratizing Knowledge
   - Benefits of open access publications and data sharing.
   - Challenges in ensuring equitable access to scientific resources.

2. Transparency in Open Science: Risks and Opportunities
   - How open science practices can be leveraged to combat disinformation.
   - Potential vulnerabilities of open data to misuse or misrepresentation.

3. Collaborative Platforms in Open Science
   - Case studies on the use of open science platforms for interdisciplinary research.
   - The role of citizen science in fostering transparency and combating fake information.

4. Ethical Considerations in Open Science
   - Balancing openness with privacy and security in sensitive research areas.
   - Strategies to ensure ethical use of openly shared data.

Disinformation and Scientific Communication

5. Misinformation on Social Media About Scientific Content
   - The role of algorithms in amplifying false scientific claims.
   - Case studies of viral misinformation campaigns related to science.

6. Misinformation in Traditional Media About Scientific Content
   - Analysis of journalistic practices that contribute to spreading scientific inaccuracies.
   - The impact of sensationalism on public understanding of science.

7. Fighting Against Disinformation
   - Strategies and tools to identify and counteract scientific disinformation.
   - Collaborative approaches between scientists and journalists.

8. Tips to Avoid Scientific Misinformation
   - Practical guidelines for individuals to verify the credibility of scientific information.
   - Promoting digital literacy to combat the spread of false science claims.

Quantification and Impact

9. Quantifying Scientific Disinformation
   - Metrics and methodologies to measure the prevalence and impact of scientific disinformation.
   - Comparative studies on disinformation trends across regions or disciplines.

Prof. Dr. Jorge Gallardo-Camacho
Prof. Dr. Adriana Amado Suárez
Prof. Dr. África Presol Herrero
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Publications is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.