A data availability statement (DAS) explains where and how readers can access the data underlying your research findings, typically placed in a dedicated section before the references or in supplementary materials.
Why Data Availability Statements Matter
Most journals now require or strongly encourage DAS to promote transparency and reproducibility. Funders like NIH and NSF often mandate data sharing as a condition of grant support. A clear statement helps other researchers verify your results, build on your work, and reduces questions from reviewers about data access.
Key Components to Include
Data location and access method: Specify exactly where your data lives—whether in a public repository (Zenodo, Dryad, GenBank), institutional archive, or available upon reasonable request. Include persistent identifiers like DOIs when possible.
Data type and format: Briefly describe what data you're sharing (raw datasets, processed files, analysis code) and in what formats (CSV, MATLAB, Python scripts). This helps readers assess usability before downloading.
Access restrictions: State any limitations clearly. If data contains personally identifiable information, explain what's redacted and why. For proprietary or sensitive datasets, describe the request process and approval criteria.
Licensing terms: Specify reuse permissions using standard licenses like CC BY 4.0 or CC0 for maximum clarity on what others can do with your data.
Common Statement Templates
For fully open data: "All data supporting this study's findings are available in [Repository Name] at [DOI/URL] under a CC BY 4.0 license."
For restricted data: "Data are available from [Institution] Data Access Committee for researchers who meet criteria for access to confidential data. Contact: [email]."
For unavailable data: "Data cannot be shared publicly due to [specific reason]. Aggregate data supporting conclusions are available in the supplementary materials."
Practical Tips
Check your target journal's author guidelines first—many provide specific DAS templates or requirements. Deposit data before manuscript submission so you can include working links. When citing datasets in your reference list, WisPaper's TrueCite automatically verifies that DOIs resolve correctly and formats data citations according to journal requirements, catching broken links before submission.
Consider future-proofing: choose repositories with long-term preservation commitments rather than personal websites or institutional servers that may disappear.
