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What is a "data availability statement" and why is it becoming mandatory in publications?

My target journal requires a "Data Availability Statement" in the manuscript. What should it include? Is this just for sharing data, or does it include code and materials? What if my data can't be shared due to privacy concerns?

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By Vishal Answered 1 month ago

This statement is a core component of research integrity, mandated by funders and journals to ensure reproducibility and transparency. It should clearly state: 1) Whether the data are available, 2) Where they are deposited (e.g., a public repository like Dryad, Figshare, or Zenodo, with a DOI), 3) Any access conditions or restrictions. If data involve human participants, you can't share them openly. Your statement should then say: "The data are not publicly available due to [ethical/legal reasons] but may be requested from [named body or contact] under a data access agreement." You might also share de-identified data or a synthetic dataset. The statement should also cover code and materials if relevant. Treat it as a non-negotiable part of your manuscript, planned from the project's outset.

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