Running head: BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY 1

Blockchain Technology and Project Fostering Open Science

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Blockchain Technology and Project Fostering Open Science

Introduction

The article reviewed by Leible et al. (2019) analyzed how blockchain technology (BT)

proved to be a crucial tool that could foster various sectors with the best features. The features

included immutability, decentralization, and transparency. In this article, the authors focused on

showing how blockchain technology suited open science. In this case, open science referred to a

practice where individuals are allowed to collaborate and contribute by using data that is freely

available and can easily be reused and redistributed. Typically, BT has allowed the exchange of

value units with less need of intermediaries as individuals can easily offer and sell their digital

assets in the market place. A study by other analysts suggested that at the moment, BT has been

applied extensively in the financial sector where business takes place. Blockchain Technology's

ability to operate effectively has attracted the attention of other critical areas, which has led to an

increase in the number of projects in the same field. It is prudent to note that BT is still in early

development, which means that it has not widely adopted the frameworks and standardization

that is expected.

Summary

Various research has been done to present scientific evidence on how BT can help

mitigate the existing concerns in science, like the reproductivity of results obtained from

published experiments and articles. They discussed BT's critical features, which allow it to

provide transparency to all the users through all steps followed in a system. Besides, BT's clarity

offers the right environment, which requires less attention from the authority. This is because

malicious behaviors are rare in such cases. On the other hand, decentralization allows the
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researchers to establish their open ecosystem for the research data, metadata, and even

communication that ensues the philosophy of available science. The authors identify open

science to be characterized by free participation, collaboration, and contribution to science. The

outcomes of crucial activities that include methods, research data, and processes are available at

no cost to be reused and reproduced.

Some of BT's significance discussed by the authors include its ability to allow technology

to be adopted for several use cases. Also, there is great potential to design blockchains to provide

either open or private access and thus align with individual governance models as speculated by

the intended purpose. Moreover, BT can work with other technologies like peer-to-peer data

synchronization protocol Dot and applied in open science. BT is only a technology, and

particular challenges may fail to overcome. To address the challenges, there need to reduce the

overreliance on BT or any technology but rather consider the involved person's input through

their habits, processes, and behaviors. Some of the authors' critiques regarding BT are the fact

that blockchains can easily magnify inequalities by depending on free-market principles and

increasing artificial scarcity. Another criticism is that there is an excellent possibility of hijacking

blockchain through the use of 51%-attack (Mohanta et al., 2019).

Methods and findings

The methods used by the authors to conduct their research and justify their findings were

also well elaborated. Firstly, they carried out a systematic review of the research topic, which

could be achieved by finding good literature. Secondly, they analyzed several blockchain

projects that we're able to foster open science in various ways. Also, they outlined their research

questions and methodology that proved to be beneficial. Brainstorming and open discussion was

also used to respond to the research questions. An exciting approach used in the method
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considers the principle that data is available to reuse the necessary credit to the originators.

Leible et al. (2019) took into account several pieces of literature by other authors to build on the

findings. The findings suggested that Blockchain projects focused on providing a solution to the

rewarding of expertise and time by establishing monetary-based incentives. Other results include

the fact that online discussion and sharing platforms, just like open science, can use BT to record

all media activities.

Looking at the discussion provided, we note that there is a need to come up with layers

with consideration of the open principles in available science projects. This will be essential in

providing a cornerstone for an environment that is transparent and trustable. The connection with

BT comes in when we need to protect non-transparency and chances of malicious behaviors.

Blockchain technology can also be beneficial to publishers dealing in open science as they can

automate the distribution of research and peer-reviews. The authors identified BT as a potential

solution to ensure available science is transparent and pave room for easy distributions. The rate

of adoption of BT heavily depends on future developments that are expected in science and other

relevant application fields.

Related article

Research by Ghosh (2019) analyzed the opportunities for research in information systems

and information technology, advanced by Blockchain Technology. The article relates to the one

focusing on open science because, in both cases, BT has made it easy to share information. In

this article, the author admits that many IT innovators and specialists consider BT to be among

the essential innovations in technology that has been witnessed over the years. Typically,

technology is based on distributed data, making BT a significant input in its advancement and

development. Many people view BT as a disruptive technology that is likely to revolutionize

business and redefine companies' economies and performance. BT is expected in various fields

dominated by IT, and this includes financial service, healthcare, transport, and entertainment,

among many others.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Blockchain Technology (BT) is a crucial tool in addressing problems

experienced in science. This is because it ensures transparency and sharing of data with the

principle of free collection, reuse, and data distribution. Other supporting fields have been

suggested, as seen in the case of Information technology, where BT is considered a critical

element in attaining the expected advancement and providing solutions to concerns that have

been witnessed.
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References

Ghosh, J. (2019). The Blockchain: Opportunities for Research in Information Systems and

Information Technology.

Leible, S., Schlager, S., Schubotz, M., & Gipp, B. (2019). A review on blockchain technology

and blockchain projects fostering open science. Frontiers in Blockchain, 2, 16.

Mohanta, B. K., Jena, D., Panda, S. S., & Sobhanayak, S. (2019). Blockchain technology: A

survey on applications and security privacy challenges. Internet of Things, 8, 100107.