Why should I share my data in a repository?

Data repositories provide infrastructure to store, share and preserve your research data - and there are many benefits to using them:

1. It’s best practice for data sharing. Data in repositories are easier to find, to reuse and to cite.
2. Your journal recommends it. Most journals recommend that you share your data in a repository. You should check the Instructions for Authors of your chosen journal, where the Research Data policy will outline the specific requirements which apply to you. 
3. Your research community may expect it. If you are publishing in the life sciences or earth sciences, then mandatory data deposit to specific repositories may be enforced by your chosen journal.
4. It could increase your citations. Publications that are linked to published datasets receive up to 25% more citations.*

Which repository should I use?

If you are unsure where to deposit your data, you are not alone. Not knowing which repository to use is one of researchers' top concerns about sharing data, according to the State of Open Data survey of 4,500 researchers.

Here are some suggestions for finding the right repository for you:

• Recommended repositories lists. We provide a list of recommended data repositories on our website. You can also consult resources such as re3data.org and FAIRsharing.org. We recommend using an appropriate discipline-specific repository where possible. 
• Your university, funder or institution. Check if your university, funder or institution provides a repository for their affiliated researchers, as you may choose to deposit your data there.

Do you have a question about research data? 
Get free help and advice on sharing your research data: visit our research data help desk.

*Colavizza et al. (2020)

Photograph by Jon Tyson on Unsplash.