Learn about Octopus.
Octopus is not just another publishing platform, it is designed to be the primary research record, and to create an incentive structure which maintains the highest standards of research and research culture.
It sits alongside journals and other dissemination outlets: they can specialise in delivering key findings to their audiences. Octopus, meanwhile, is where researchers can publish everything in full: ideas, hypotheses, full data, analyses, code and reviews of others' work. It acts like a 'patent office' to record who has done what and when, and ensure the quality, integrity and accessibility of all primary research, in full.
We believe that new ideas and findings should be shared as quickly and accessibly as possible, and that primary research, including data and code should not be locked behind paywalls. On Octopus, researchers can put their work into the research record quickly, easily and in full. Researchers then have no need to worry about ‘being scooped’ as they can establish priority immediately. Others can use or build on the research quickly. Research of all types can be recorded, without barriers or editorial gatekeepers.
Researchers should be recognised for the quality of their contributions, with work judged on its intrinsic merits not on anything else. The eight publication types on Octopus are designed to remove the incentives that lead to publication bias and questionable research practices because each part of the research process is now treated independently, not on how much it supports a hypothesis or theory. In Octopus, ‘findings’ are no more important than theories, methods, analyses or implementation – each are published independently and stand on their own merits. Octopus is also designed to remove sources of potential bias when assessing work: there are no photos, institutions or first names on publications that might affect reviews.
The smaller publications on Octopus encourage more meaningful author groups which accurately reflect who contributed directly to each element. This creates a fairer recognition structure for those in specialist roles. All activity on platform is also recorded and stored on a user’s public profile – including publications, peer reviews and red flags – which over time will build a clear picture of their contributions to the collaborative Octopus community.
All publications in Octopus are linked, forming branching chains. You can browse these links from each publication page to discover new content, while authors can identify potential collaborations working on related projects. Institutions and funders can also view all the research recorded by their researchers.
Do you feel like these principles align with your own?
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Learn more about getting involved.Octopus publication types
Octopus is the place to officially record your research contributions. It is intentionally different from writing an article for a journal, with 8 publication types more closely aligned with the stages of the research process.
These smaller units of publication make it quicker and easier to record research in full and aim to encourage smaller, more meaningful author groups which allow all researchers to get fair credit for their work.
Visit our FAQs for more information on publishing to Octopus.
Research Problem
A neatly defined scientific problem.
Rationale/Hypothesis
An original hypothesis relating to an existing published Research Problem or the rationale for how you think the Research Problem could be addressed.
Methods
A practical method of testing an existing published Rationale/Hypothesis.
Results
Raw data or summarised results collected according to an existing published Method (can be linked to a data repository).
Analysis
A statistical or thematic analysis of existing published Results.
Interpretation
A discussion around an existing published Analysis or several Analyses.
Real World Application
Real World Applications arising from an existing published Interpretation.
Get started with Octopus
Recording your work on Octopus is different from publishing a paper. There are eight publication types that are aligned with the research process and designed to help researchers of all types share their work and be recognised for it.
Publish your workEvery publication in Octopus is linked to another, forming branching chains of research. You can navigate these chains from every publication page to browse areas of research and discover something new.
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