Researcher guidance
Research Data and Availability Statements
Data-availability requirements depend on the journal, study, funder and applicable restrictions. Authors should explain access conditions accurately and avoid promising access that consent or confidentiality obligations prohibit.
What should a data statement explain?
Identify where eligible data can be found, how access works and what restrictions apply. Use persistent repository identifiers when they are available and appropriate.
Can all research data be published openly?
No. Privacy, consent, commercial restrictions or other obligations can limit sharing. Discuss suitable options with the responsible institution and follow the journal’s current policy.
What documentation supports reuse?
Describe variables, methods, file formats and processing decisions clearly. A dataset should have enough contextual information for others to interpret its scope and limitations.