# Research Transparency and Reproducibility Training (RT2)

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · 2024 · $150,120

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
Problems in scientific practice have generated widespread concern about the reliability of
findings in behavioral and social science research (BSSR), including work related to aging.
These problems arise from a lack of transparency on the part of researchers, as well as
incentives in publishing and academia that encourage the presentation of results in ways that
are newsworthy, but not necessarily reproducible or rigorous. Training on transparency and
reproducibility is critical for equipping the BSSR workforce to conduct credible research. But
while it is becoming more widely available, it is not yet the norm in graduate curricula.
Led by the Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences (BITSS), the Research
Transparency and Reproducibility Training (RT2) is designed to strengthen the integrity of
BSSR by increasing awareness of problems driven by opacity and providing exposure to and
practice with tools designed to improve openness. In addition to providing an overview of
problems and solutions in transparency, RT2 will provide space for practice with open science
tools, as well as feedback on ongoing work in which participants are applying openness
practices.
BITSS has developed curricular materials for and delivered seven RT2 events and dozens of
related workshops since 2014. This project will first adapt these for application in BSSR focused
on aging topics, and integrating applied and discourse-based approaches to improve their
effectiveness. This curriculum will be delivered through annual short courses for graduate
students, postdocs, and other junior researchers. We will further facilitate long-term adoption of
technical and transferable skills by investing in “‘champions” who provide support to peers and
collaborators. We will provide access to funding and other guidance to help them integrate new
practices into their research and teaching activities. Finally, we will evaluate the effectiveness of
RT2 and its impact on learners through pre- and post-training surveys and in-depth interviews
with randomly selected participants.
Feedback from previous participants and applicants have demonstrated RT2’s effectiveness, as
well as growing demand for training of this kind. In broadening its methodological focus and
integrating applied and discursive approaches, RT2 can further transform research culture,
equipping participants to lead, teach, and collaborate on transparent and reproducible aging
research, laying the groundwork for better informing the decisions of policymakers, practitioners,
and the public, and for facilitating collaboration and equity in BSSR.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10833700
- **Project number:** 5R25AG078146-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- **Principal Investigator:** EDWARD ANDREW MIGUEL
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $150,120
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-08-15 → 2027-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10833700

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10833700, Research Transparency and Reproducibility Training (RT2) (5R25AG078146-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10833700. Licensed CC0.

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