POLICY

Data Availability Policy

This policy defines the expectations for the availability, sharing and citation of research data to ensure transparency, reproducibility and integrity of scholarly research.

Policy Overview

BJFR requires authors to describe how research data supporting published findings can be accessed, shared, and cited in line with international best practices.

  • All submissions must include a clear data availability statement describing how supporting data can be accessed.
  • Research data underlying published findings should be deposited in trusted repositories whenever possible.
  • Any restrictions on data access must be justified and documented transparently in the availability statement.
  • Datasets must be cited with persistent identifiers such as DOIs to support reproducibility and attribution.

This policy aligns with current guidance from COPE and ICMJE .

Data Availability Statement Requirements

1. Data Description

Describe what data were collected or generated, including file types, variables, and scope.

2. Availability

State where data can be accessed, or explain why data are not publicly available.

3. Access Conditions

Explain any restrictions, embargoes, licensing terms, or approval requirements for access.

4. Citation

Provide the recommended citation format, including repository name, DOI, or other persistent identifier.

Accepted Data Repositories

Zenodo

General-purpose open repository for research outputs with DOI assignment.

 Figshare

Cloud repository for datasets, figures, and supplementary research materials.

 Dryad

Curated repository focused on data underlying published research articles.

 OSF

Open Science Framework for project management, preregistration, and data sharing.

 Dataverse

Open-source repository software for research data with citation support.
Other Repository

Discipline-specific or institutional repositories that provide persistent identifiers and long-term access.

Types of Research Data

Raw Data

Unprocessed observations, measurements, or recordings collected during research.

Processed Data

Cleaned, transformed, or analyzed datasets derived from raw materials.

Experimental Data

Laboratory or controlled experiment outputs supporting reported findings.

Survey Data

Questionnaire responses, interview transcripts, and structured survey datasets.

Field Data

Observations and samples collected in natural or real-world settings.

Code & Software

Scripts, analysis code, and software used to generate or process results.

Images

Micrographs, maps, photographs, and other visual research materials.

Videos

Recorded experiments, field observations, or supplementary visual documentation.

Supporting Data

Metadata, protocols, calibration files, and other materials supporting reproducibility.

When Data Can Be Restricted

Data sharing may be limited in the following circumstances. Restrictions must be clearly stated in the data availability statement with a valid justification.

  • Privacy: Personal or identifiable information that cannot be anonymized without compromising utility.
  • Sensitive Data: Commercially sensitive, security-related, or culturally sensitive datasets.
  • Legal Restrictions: Data governed by contracts, export controls, or national legislation.
  • Ethics Approval: Limits imposed by ethics committees on sharing identifiable human participant data.
  • Participant Safety: Situations where public release could endanger individuals or communities.

Data Citation

Datasets should be cited in the reference list using the following elements:

  • Author
  • Year
  • Title
  • Repository
  • DOI
  • Version
  • Persistent Identifier

FAIR Principles

BJFR encourages authors to make research data FAIR — Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.

Findable

Data and metadata are assigned persistent identifiers and are discoverable through standard search tools.

Accessible

Data can be retrieved using standardized protocols, with authentication where necessary.

Interoperable

Data use formal, shared vocabularies and formats that enable integration with other resources.

Reusable

Data include clear licensing, provenance, and metadata to support reuse and verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact

For questions about data availability statements, repository requirements, or policy interpretation, contact the BJFR Editorial Office.

Contact Editorial Office