Open Data

The value of research extends beyond its findings to the data that underpins them. These recommended practices support publishers in establishing clear data policies, encouraging responsible data sharing and aligning with cross-stakeholder frameworks — so that research data is managed with the same rigour and openness as the research itself.

Recommendations & Best Practices

 

Consider endorsing the FAIR and CARE Data Principles

Where ethically and legally feasible, all research data should be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable, whilst respecting indigenous peoples’ rights and interests.

Endorse the STM, Datacite, Crossref Joint Statement on Research Data

Follow the 12 Best Practices for Research Data Sharing — specifically: #3. Establish clear data policies for journals; #7. Integrate Data Availability Statements in published articles; and #10. Collaborate across stakeholders to align on FAIR Research Data Policies, recognising and reflecting disciplinary differences.

Encourage authors to submit article-related data

In a format that can be easily accessed and reused, such as machine-readable data and to follow the FAIR Data Principles.

Highlight research data policy

On appropriate publisher web pages.

Case Studies

Medical Data Sharing: Improving Journal Policy
Clearer data sharing guidance for medical publishers — reducing barriers and improving compliance across the research ecosystem.

Find out more

A Global Lens on Open Data Attitudes Researcher attitudes to open data vary widely by region — making tailored, context-aware approaches essential for meaningful adoption.

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Driving data sharing at the Science family journals When authors share materials, methods, data and code, it allows other researchers to replicate their study’s findings, a cornerstone of reproducibility.

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The Latest from STM

New report: Phase II of China’s Excellence Action Plan for STM Journals

*Announcements China 06/17/26

STM consultants Shuai Yan, Mark Robertson, and Eric Na have published a detailed report on Phase II of China’s Excellence Action Plan — the largest national initiative in Chinese scholarly publishing, now supporting 13 journal cluster pilot projects with 45 million RMB in annual funding. Phase II has a clear ambition: a publishing ecosystem built…

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EU Parliament event on research integrity highlights collective responsibility

*EU *Policy & Advocacy *Policy briefing 06/15/26

On 10 June, the European Parliament’s STOA panel (on the future of science and technology) held a session highlighting AI, system-level misaligned incentives, and research culture as key factors behind the rise in research integrity issues. Several speakers encouraged a focus on the reasons motivating misconduct rather than on post-fact enforcement, although the importance of…

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New report on China’s STM Journal Excellence Action Plan

*Policy & Advocacy *Policy briefing China

This week, STM is in Beijing for the PubTech Conference and STM APAC Conference, convening publishers, technologists, librarians, and researchers from across the Asia-Pacific region around openness, integrity, and inclusion. Alongside the event, STM consultants Shuai Yan and Mark Robertson, together with STM China Chapter chair Eric Na, have published a detailed report on Phase II…

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EU Commission’s consultation on TDM rights reservation protocols

*EU *Policy & Advocacy *Policy briefing

The European Commission is exploring methods for reserving TDM/AI rights, with a view to making the most mature ones mandatory for AI companies to read and respect under the AI Act’s Code of Practice. A first workshop took place on 2 June, with TDMRep emerging as the protocol with the most support among rightsholders. STM…

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