Sharing

Data sharing refers to the practice of making data available to other research stakeholders, including other investigators, research subjects, and the broader public. This is typically done by submitting your data to an established repository and having a persistent identifier such as a digital object identifier (DOI) assigned to it. Many funding agencies, publishers, and research institutions mandate data sharing as a means to promote transparency, research reproducibility, and greater impact of research data. Data sharing can occur at any time during the course of a research project but must be done by the time of publication of any articles that use the data to support its conclusions. To maximize the benefits of sharing, researchers should strive to ensure their data adhere to the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable).

Some funding agencies require researchers to share their data using specific repositories. If your funder does not specify a repository, you are encouraged to select a repository appropriate for your discipline by searching the Registry of Research Data Repositories (re3data.org). If no appropriate field-specific repository is available, you may consider a generalist repository such as Dryad, Figshare, or Zenodo. For further guidance on selecting a repository, see Desirable Characteristics of Data Repositories for Federally Funded Research.

Considerations

  • Review relevant funder, publisher, and institutional policies regarding data sharing
  • Determine what data should be shared and with what type of access (open or restricted)
  • Decide what license should be applied to your data
  • Ensure your data adhere to the FAIR principles
  • Consult with a librarian about selecting an appropriate repository for sharing your data

Resources

  • FAIR Principles 
    Set of principles for organizing and documenting research data to make it findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.​ See also How to FAIR, a step-by-step guide on how to apply FAIR principles to your research data. 
     
  • Registry of Research Data Repositories ​
    Global registry of research data repositories covering a wide range of disciplines from around the world. Allows researchers to search for repositories by field of study and identify relevant polices and terms of use.​
     
  • FAIRSharing.org ​
    Searchable registry of data repositories aligned with FAIR sharing principles. Use filters to refine search by record type, subject, or country.​
     
  • OpenDOAR ​
    Global directory of open access repositories that provide free, open access to academic outputs and resources. All entries are reviewed by an editorial team for quality assurance. Use advanced search to filter by discipline, repository type, or content type.​
     
  • NIH Supported Data Sharing Resources ​
    Directory of generalist and domain specific repositories.​
     
  • Generalist Repository Comparison Chart ​
    Chart designed to help researchers choose a generalist repository should no domain repository be available to preserve their research data.​
     
  • Generalist Repository Selection Flowchart ​
    Series of considerations to guide users in selecting the right generalist repository for sharing their research data.​
     
  • Creative Commons License Chooser
    Tool to help you select the right license for your work.