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Open Access

Why Open Up Your Data?

Open Data Policies

More and more funders, publishers (PLOS, Elsevier, Springer-Nature, and more), institutions, and other stakeholders in the research enterprise require that researchers make their data publicly accessible. See, for example, the data management plan requirement from the National Science Foundation, or the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy memorandum.

Benefits of Open Data

  • Allows credit to data producers and curators (via data citation and emerging altmetrics)
  • Encourages reuse of datasets and discourages duplication of effort
  • Encourages proper curation and management of data
  • Ensures the completeness, transparency, and integrity of research
  • Improves discoverability and citability of datasets