Understanding open data | Open Research Europe

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All you need to know about open data at Open Research Europe

Introduction to open and FAIR data

Open Research Europe endorses the FAIR Guiding Principles, alongside an open data policy as a framework to promote the broadest reuse of research data. We believe that sharing research data can accelerate the pace of discovery, provide credibility and recognition for authors, and lead to increased public trust in research. This also brings benefits for wider society, including driving innovation in technology, better evidence-based policy-making, and economic benefits.

What is open data?

Open data is data that is available for everyone to access, use and share. For researchers, this refers to any information or materials that have been collected or created as part of your research project – such as survey results, gene sequences, software, code, neuro-images, even audio files. In research, open data practices are also known as ‘data sharing’.

What is FAIR data?

The FAIR Guiding Principles were published in Scientific Data in 2016, providing a new framework for research data management, designed to maximize its reuse and support open data practices. FAIR data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. FAIR data goes beyond open data, aiming to make the data itself more useful and user-friendly.

Open data: what you need to know

There are many misconceptions around the sharing of research data. Here are the key points you need to consider when it comes to open data:

• Types of research data
• Data sharing in different subject areas
• Planning and support with data sharing
• Rights to share data
• Sensitive data
• Misinterpretation of data
• Inappropriate reuse of data
• Claiming priority to results through data sharing
• Impact of data sharing on your career
• Data sharing for commercial innovation and industry applied research..."