1. Data availability statement
Every research article must include a Data Availability Statement describing where the data supporting the reported results can be found, including, where applicable, hyperlinks to publicly archived datasets and accession numbers.
2. Preferred repositories
Authors are encouraged to deposit datasets in established, discipline-appropriate, FAIR-aligned repositories. Examples include:
- General-purpose: Zenodo, figshare, Dryad, Open Science Framework.
- Biological sciences: GenBank, ENA, PDB, UniProt, BioStudies.
- Clinical / health: ClinicalTrials.gov, vivli, where consistent with consent and privacy law.
3. Recommended statement templates
Choose the template that fits the case:
- "The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in [repository name] at [DOI/URL]."
- "The data supporting this study are available within the article and its supplementary material."
- "The data are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request." (Only where genuine ethical or legal restrictions prevent public release.)
- "This study did not generate new data."
4. Code and software
Where computational analyses are central to the work, the underlying code should be deposited in an appropriate repository (e.g. Zenodo with a GitHub release) and cited with a DOI.
5. Sensitive data
Human subjects data, personally identifiable information, or commercially sensitive data may be withheld where ethically required. In such cases the Data Availability Statement must explain the restriction and describe the process for legitimate access requests.
6. Peer review of data
Reviewers may request the underlying data during peer review. Authors are expected to respond constructively to such requests through the editorial office.