02 Research Data Policies¶
What?¶
A research data policy describes the requirements for handling research data. There are different types of policies, which differ in the context of use: journal and publisher policies, institutional policies, project-specific policies, subject-specific policies, policies of research funders.
Research data policies at UFZ
Journal and Publisher Policies¶
Since 2016, publishers such as Springer Nature, Elsevier and Wiley set new guidelines for handling research data and are applying them in their journals. They are guided by the Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) Guidelines of the Center for Open Science (COS) published in 2015. Publishers usually distinguish between three and four types of research data policies. Exemplary policy types from Springer Nature and, in parentheses, examples of journals applying this type:
- We encourage sharing and cite data (Photosynthesis Research)
- We encourage sharing data and demonstrate data accessibility (Plant and Soil)
- We encourage sharing data and statements about data availability are mandatory (Palgrave Communications)
- It is a requirement to share data, demonstrate this, and allow peer review of data (Scientific Data)
Institutional Policies¶
The majority of universities and research institutions in Germany have already introduced an institutional research data policy to regulate the handling of research data and to clarify the fundamental legal aspects (e.g. GEOMAR, GFZ). In addition to regulating the open access of research data, the allocation of the research institution's personnel, organizational and technical capacities for RDM is also considered and decided upon, i.e. cost and resource management.
Project Policies¶
In addition to institutional policies, which often have an overarching character and are intended to speak for the entire institution, project-specific policies can also be created. These are project-internal regulations and standards, which can be specifically adapted to the respective project.
Discipline-specific Policies¶
For some disciplines, specific policies for handling research data already exist. In the social sciences, for example, there is an agreement on cooperation between European data archives, drawn up by CESSDA (Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives). In the life sciences, the "Good Clinical Practice (GCP)" and the "Principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)" govern the work with data. Both principles are enshrined in law in Germany. In biodiversity research, the DFG Guidelines on the Handling of Research Data in Biodiversity Research provide orientation.
Such subject-specific requirements are necessary because research data are very heterogeneous and handling them can vary greatly. At the same time, the formulation of these standards also serves to establish comparability and interoperability within the disciplines. This is to take into account the subject-specific data formats and the different ways of handling and indexing research data.
Research Funders Policies¶
Increasingly, research funding bodies are issuing their own guidelines for handling research data (see, for example, the European Commission and the German Research Foundation (DFG)). In these guidelines, applicants are required to provide information on FDM, to draw up a data management plan, or to make research data generated in the project available under open licenses.
Since the existence and content of the data management plan may be included in the reviewer's evaluation, it is advisable for applicants to pay close attention to the guidelines and provide specific information. Possible sanctions for non-compliance with the policy or the data management plan may include withholding of the project budget or reduced chances in a follow-up application.
Thinking from the end
Carefully consider which of the different policies applies and might apply in the forthcoming.
- Are you a member of a research institution?
- Do you apply for a research grant?
- Are you aiming to publish in a specific journal?
Recommendations for a Jump Start¶
Jump start
Consider the policy of your research funder Consider the policy of the journal you want to publish in