Computer software has become a ubiquitous component of chemistry research, with many chemists not only using software but also contributing to its development. Open access to computer software improves transparency and reproducibility, reduces duplication of research effort, and speeds progress of scientific discovery. However, making research software readily available to the community is not always supported within the current scholarly landscape, and sharing can be limited by factors such as competitive demand for resources, career advancement pathways, awareness of sharing options, institutional policy, and technical infrastructure. This presentation will explore these challenges and provide an overview of approaches to overcome barriers associated with sharing software developed in academic research. It will describe best practices for researchers who develop software, as well as opportunities for libraries, research funders, and publishers to support open exchange of software within the greater context of the open access movement.

Open software in chemistry: Challenges and opportunities

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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