Research knowledge base
Share research data responsibly
Plan a data-sharing record that matches what can actually be accessed. Decide what may be shared before choosing a repository or writing a data availability statement.
01
Separate permission from technical availability
Identify the data owner, consent conditions, third-party rights and institutional requirements. Decide what can be public, what needs controlled access and what cannot be released. Public metadata may be possible even when access to the underlying files is restricted. Resolve uncertainty with the appropriate institutional owner before depositing material.
02
Describe the data so that it can be understood
Prepare a README, variable definitions, units, missing-value codes, file relationships and provenance. Document transformations and link relevant code. The FAIR principles provide a framework for reviewing the usability of the record. FAIR does not mean that every dataset must be available without access conditions.
03
Choose the record and repository
Check whether a discipline-specific or institutional repository is appropriate, whether it supports the needed access model and how versions and persistent identifiers are handled. Open Science Framework can support linked project materials and registrations. The Zenodo DOI documentation explains identifier handling for deposits. Check the repository’s actual capabilities and terms against the project’s needs.
04
Check the target publication’s requirements
Consult the relevant publisher’s instructions and the selected journal’s page. For example, PLOS open science publishing links its data and code policies, while Nature editorial policies points authors to applicable editorial requirements. Do not copy a statement from another paper unless it accurately describes your own record and access conditions.
05
Test the manuscript-to-data link
Make the statement identify the record, version and genuine access route. Test links from the viewpoint of the intended reader. Check that a manuscript citation does not point to an inaccessible private draft or a different version of the dataset. Retain a named owner for future access queries and corrections.
When disclosure is limited, describe the restriction and the legitimate request process accurately. A deposit should reflect approved permissions and useful documentation, rather than simply moving an unexplained data file online.
06
Sources and tools
- FAIR principles — Review findability, accessibility, interoperability and reuse.
- Open Science Framework — Organise linked research materials and study registrations.
- Zenodo DOI documentation — Plan persistent identifiers for appropriate deposited outputs.
- PLOS open science publishing — Consult the linked data and code policies when planning a submission.
- Nature editorial policies — Check the relevant reporting, research-integrity and availability requirements.
07
Continue with your research
External resources reviewed 22 October 2026. Check the current instructions for the selected journal, tool or institution before acting. These links identify independent resources and do not imply an affiliation with or endorsement by their providers.