Preregistration at Open Science Framework (OSF): A tutorial
If you need to preregister a research project based on observational data online to be able to upload an analysis plan, analysis code, or other files or pre-defined plans, you can do it at Open Science Framework (OSF): OSF Registries. If instead you are looking to register a clinical trial you should go to clinicaltrials.gov—here we only consider OSF registrations. After registering at OSF, you can upload results and preprints if necessary as well as other things. In this way, OSF can be thought of as a public logbook for your research project.
Introduction and overview of OSF
To get an overview of OSF Registries, you can read more about the possibilities and how to create an account here (including videos with help and instructions): OSF Support
For a more dedicated introduction to preregistrations and a video: Welcome to Registrations & Preregistrations! (Overview) - OSF Support
Creating a preregistration at OSF
First step for a preregistration is to select a template. You can read more about the different templates here: Select a Registration Template - OSF Support
The general template “OSF Preregistration” will work for many projects. The template “Secondary Data Preregistration” is also useful, when data have previously been collected for other purposes.
When making a preregistration, you can select a copyright license for the project. Other projects have previously used “CC-By Attribution 4.0 International”. With this license, others can use and refer to the content in the registration, as long as they credit/reference the original work. Read more about licensing here: Licensing - OSF Support
If you want to see an example of preregistration with analysis plan for a project based at Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus consider the following: OSF Registries | Effectiveness of the Check Your Health Preventive Programme Based on Register Data
Contact persons
This document was drafted by Eeva-Liisa Røssell Johansen (eevjoh@rm.dk) based on personal experience with OSF. Henrik Støvring (hersto@rm.dk) gave minor input to the document. If you have any questions regarding registration of a project, you are welcome to contact us.
This website and the documents contained within are aimed at researchers, PhD students, staff, and external collaborators.