Data Sharing Policy

Data availability

Authors should make their research data publicly accessible, while respecting ethical and privacy considerations.

Types of data

The policy covers raw and processed data, supplementary materials, code, metadata, genomic and other large datasets, images, and statistical outputs.

Data repositories

Data should be deposited in a repository recognised in the field that issues persistent identifiers:

• A discipline-specific repository where one exists, for example GEO or SRA for genomic and transcriptomic data
• Dryad, Figshare, Zenodo or an institutional repository for other data

Data Availability Statement

Every manuscript must include a statement saying where the data are held and how they can be accessed. If the data cannot be shared, for privacy or legal reasons, the statement must explain why.

Sensitive data and privacy

Data about human participants must be anonymised, as set out in Ethical Approvals and Informed Consent.

Access during peer review

Reviewers and editors may ask to see the data in order to verify results and assess reproducibility. Authors must provide them promptly and in a usable format.

Non-compliance

Manuscripts without a Data Availability Statement are returned to the authors before review.