In the lead up to Open Data Day we explore how researchers can make data open and F.A.I.R. F.A.I.R is a set of guiding principles to make data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable. Applying these principles enables standardised metadata (data about data), stable and persistent links to the data and improves human and machine discoverability and readability.
Dr Jessica Paynter, Senior Lecturer in Applied Psychology at Griffith University has recently made research data F.A.I.R. open whilst protecting the privacy of study participants. Jessica’s recent research tests the most effective strategies to de-bunk autism treatment myths. Her findings were published in PLoS ONE journal and are supported by a de-identified version of data used in the study and other important supporting materials.
PLoS ONE and many peer reviewed journals require that authors submit data to support their articles and enable verification of findings. The availability of data, protocols, analyses and code are all solutions to help prevent bias and improve the reliability and trust in research as discussed by Ioannidis et al.. However, sharing data from research requires informed consent and protection of the privacy of participants.
Listen to Jessica explore the considerations of sharing research data from psychology studies.
Want to know more? The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and Griffith University’s Research Ethics Manual provide practical guidance on protecting personal information in research studies, including managing the risk of disclosure with the Five Safes Framework used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
