Data Sharing Policy

1. Introduction

Macaw Publications upholds the principles of transparency, reproducibility, and scientific integrity. We strongly encourage authors to share the data underlying their research to support verification, facilitate future studies, and strengthen the global scientific record.
This Data Sharing Policy outlines expectations, acceptable practices, and ethical considerations for authors publishing in the Scientific Research International Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Journal.

2. Purpose of Data Sharing

Data sharing enhances:

  • Reproducibility of scientific findings

  • Transparency in research methods

  • Collaboration across disciplines

  • Innovation through secondary analysis

  • Trust in scientific publishing

By ensuring that datasets are accessible and well-documented, Macaw Publications promotes responsible and open research practices.

3. Data Sharing Expectations

Authors are encouraged to make their research data:

  • Findable – properly indexed and searchable

  • Accessible – available to authorized users when appropriate

  • Interoperable – presented in standard, reusable formats

  • Reusable – sufficiently documented to enable reanalysis

These principles align with globally recognized FAIR data guidelines.

4. Types of Data to Be Shared

The following types of data may be shared, depending on study design and ethical considerations:

  • Raw or processed datasets

  • Statistical analyses or code

  • Survey instruments and questionnaires

  • Experimental protocols

  • Metadata and documentation

  • Supplementary materials supporting results

Authors should ensure data is accurate, complete, and clearly labeled.

5. Acceptable Data Repositories

Macaw Publications recommends depositing data in:

a. Discipline-Specific Repositories

Examples include repositories for biology, chemistry, physics, social sciences, engineering, computing, and more.

b. General Repositories

  • Zenodo

  • Figshare

  • Dryad

  • Dataverse

  • Institutional digital repositories

Repositories must provide stable identifiers (such as DOIs) to ensure long-term accessibility.

6. Data Availability Statement

All manuscripts must include a Data Availability Statement, indicating:

  • Where the data is stored

  • How it can be accessed

  • Any restrictions or embargoes

  • Reasons for not sharing data (if applicable)

Examples of acceptable statements:

  • “The data supporting the findings of this study are available in Zenodo at DOI:…”

  • “Due to privacy restrictions, data are available upon reasonable request.”

  • “No datasets were generated or analyzed in this study.”

7. Exceptions and Restrictions

Macaw Publications recognizes that some data cannot be shared due to:

a. Privacy and Confidentiality

Human subject data, sensitive personal information, or restricted-access datasets must follow:

  • Informed consent agreements

  • Institutional review board (IRB) approvals

  • Data protection regulations

b. Legal or Commercial Restrictions

Data protected by intellectual property agreements, proprietary technologies, or sponsor-imposed restrictions may not be shareable.

c. Ethical Concerns

Data involving endangered species, cultural heritage, or sensitive geopolitical information may require controlled access.

In such cases, authors must provide a clear justification in the Data Availability Statement.

8. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors must ensure that:

  • Data is accurate, complete, and securely stored

  • Shared datasets comply with ethical and legal standards

  • Personal identifiers are removed where required

  • Code or software scripts are documented for usability

  • Repository links remain active and functional

Failure to provide valid data upon request may affect publication decisions.

9. Responsibilities of Editors and Reviewers

Editors and reviewers may request:

  • Verification of data accessibility

  • Clarification of data methodology

  • Access to datasets during the review process (when appropriate)

Reviewers must treat shared data with confidentiality and use it solely for evaluation purposes.

10. Misconduct Related to Data

The following constitute data-related ethical violations:

  • Fabrication or falsification of data

  • Failure to provide data supporting published results

  • Manipulation of datasets to distort findings

  • Providing misleading or incomplete data descriptions

Such misconduct will be handled according to the journal’s Publication Ethics and Retraction Policies.

11. Long-Term Preservation of Data

Authors are encouraged to deposit data in repositories with:

  • Long-term preservation guarantees

  • Stable and persistent identifiers

  • Reliable backup and security protocols

This supports lasting scholarly value and data integrity.

Macaw Publications, Voice of Global Research | Scientific and Academic Research Journals, is committed to advancing transparent and reproducible science. Our Data Sharing Policy ensures that authors contribute responsibly to the global research ecosystem by preserving and sharing data that supports meaningful scholarly progress.