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Choose Open Data: A Beginner's Guide to Using Open Access Data

Posted on: May 13, 2022

Taylor & Francis strongly encourages all book and chapter authors to share and make data open where this does not violate protection of human subjects or other valid subject privacy concerns. Authors are further encouraged to cite data and provide a data availability statement for inclusion in their publication. As of April 2021, all new Taylor & Francis publications entering the production process will be encouraged to adhere to this Data Sharing Policy, where appropriate.

We spoke with Saif Aldeen Saleh AlRyalat and Shaher Momani, authors of A Beginner’s Guide to Using Open Access Data, to discuss the importance of open data, and some of the key factors authors and researchers should be aware of when sharing their data. 

Why is open access data so important?

There are two main points to consider, first, making data open and accessible enhance the transparency of its related research and its conclusion by showing the source of the results and the conclusion. Second, the open data provided might be used by other researchers who might have new and novel ideas, thus, yielding the most of this data. 

What are the key factors to consider with open access data?

When discussing when to put a data as open access, you need to keep in mind the goals of putting a data openly accessible, including how other would benefit from the data, how providing the data would increase the transparency behind research findings. The other point to consider is the ethical considerations related to putting data openly accessible.

What are the ethical considerations when publishing open access data?

Data has great value in research, and it can be considered as an “asset” for researchers and their institutions. Some researchers suggested a window period for the data to be used by the primary researchers, where they try to publish new findings from the data before making it openly accessible. The issue become more complex when the data were for patients, where confidentiality need to be considered.

A key concern surrounding open data is confidentially; how can researchers address this?

Confidentiality is the main concern regarding open data, many researchers are not aware about the degree of data de-identification and how to ensure reasonable access to data. Providing a written guideline may be a good step to ensure confidentiality.

What advice would you give to researchers looking to publish open access data?

The evidence on the great benefit open access data provides is compelling, other researchers may reveal new insight about the data, an insight you and your team might not be aware of. Another secondary benefit includes gaining more citations, having more publications, and opening the door for more collaborations.

To find out more about the benefits of open data and the steps you’d need to take as an author, and read our helpful FAQs, take a look at our Books Data Sharing Policy.

Read next: 5 Reasons to Publish Your Next Book Open Access.