Authors Alliance has been a strong advocate for open access to research, helping authors understand how to share their work widely. More recently, we have expanded this work by providing targeted guidance to authors on the NIH Public Access Policy, addressing the growing complexity of federal open science mandates and the need for clear explanations for authors.
Open Access to research data is an important component of many Open Access initiatives. Open Data allows research to be verified and replicated. It also helps build transparency, accountability, and public trust.
As our latest effort to address the need for clear guidance on open science and open research, we’re excited to announce the launch of a new Open Data Resources page, designed to help researchers, librarians, and research support professionals navigate the increasingly complex landscape of data sharing. As expectations around openness, transparency, and reuse continue to grow, we’ve heard a clear need for guidance.
The Open Data FAQ addresses foundational questions like what counts as “data” and what it means to publish data openly. The FAQ also tackles some thorny questions researchers regularly face: when data should not be made open, how privacy, trade secrets, patents, and copyright intersect with data sharing, and what approvals may be needed before publishing data openly. We also provide practical guidance on how and where to publish data openly, including an overview of commonly used repositories, licensing options such as Creative Commons and Open Data Commons tools, and the role of metadata, persistence, and the FAIR principles in making data truly reusable.
The FAQ is meant to meet readers where they are—whether you’re new to data sharing or looking for clarity on a specific issue—and each section can be read on its own or as part of a broader overview. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all answers, the FAQ emphasizes context, professional norms, and the importance of consulting institutional policies and advisors.
This Open Data Resources page reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting authors and researchers as they make informed decisions that balance ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities.
We hope the FAQ serves as a useful reference and starting point, and we welcome feedback as these practices and policies continue to evolve. Please share your questions and feedback by emailing info@authorsalliance.org.
This project was made possible by the many people who contributed to the research and review of the FAQ. We are grateful to the contributions made by the iPIP Clinic, SPARC, and RDAP.
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