Troubleshooting public data archiving: suggestions to increase participation

Authors

Dominique G. Roche, Australian National University
Robert Lanfear, Australian National University
Sandra A. Binning, Australian National University
Tonya M. Haff, Australian National University
Lisa E. Schwanz, Australian National University
Kristal E. Cain, Australian National University
Hanna Kokko, Australian National University
Michael D. Jennions, Australian National University
Loeske E. B Kruuk, Australian National University

RIS ID

100125

Publication Details

Roche, D. G., Lanfear, R., Binning, S. A., Haff, T. M., Schwanz, L. E., Cain, K. E., Kokko, H., Jennions, M. D. & Kruuk, L. E. B. (2014). Troubleshooting public data archiving: suggestions to increase participation. PLoS Biology, 12 (1), e1001779-1 - e1001779-5.

Abstract

An increasing number of publishers and funding agencies require public data archiving (PDA) in open-access databases. PDA has obvious group benefits for the scientific community, but many researchers are reluctant to share their data publicly because of real or perceived individual costs. Improving participation in PDA will require lowering costs and/or increasing benefits for primary data collectors. Small, simple changes can enhance existing measures to ensure that more scientific data are properly archived and made publicly available: (1) facilitate more flexible embargoes on archived data, (2) encourage communication between data generators and re-users, (3) disclose data re-use ethics, and (4) encourage increased recognition of publicly archived data.