Data Access Statements

Data access statements are now required in all publications arising from publicly-funded research. The RCUK Policy on Open Access (secion 3.3) states:

“the policy requires all research papers, if applicable, to include a statement on how underlying research materials, such as data, samples or models, can be accessed.  However, the policy does not require that the data must be made open.  If there are considered to be compelling reasons to protect access to the data, for example commercial confidentiality or legitimate sensitivities around data derived from potentially identifiable human participants, these should be included in the statement”

This is also a specific requirement for all EPSRC funded papers after 1 May 2015 (see Expectation II on their Clarification PDF).

Further Resources

The University of Bath has an excellent overview of Data Access Statements including examples.