Data Retrieval Policy

Data Retrieval Policy for the Journal of Science and Technology

1. Purpose and Scope

The Journal of Science and Technology is committed to fostering transparency, reproducibility, and accessibility in scientific research. This policy outlines the principles and procedures for the storage, access, and retrieval of data associated with articles published in the journal.

This policy applies to all data associated with submitted and published manuscripts, including supplementary materials, datasets, and code.

2. Data Availability Requirements

  • Mandatory Data Sharing:
    • Authors must make all data supporting the findings of their manuscript publicly available in a repository or upon reasonable request, unless privacy, confidentiality, or legal constraints prevent this.
  • Preferred Data Repositories:
    • Authors are encouraged to deposit data in recognized, discipline-specific repositories (e.g., GenBank, Dryad, PANGAEA) or general repositories such as Zenodo, Figshare, or institutional repositories.
    • Repositories must provide persistent identifiers (e.g., DOIs) to ensure long-term accessibility.
  • Data Availability Statement (DAS):
    • All submitted manuscripts must include a Data Availability Statement, specifying where and how the data can be accessed (e.g., "The data supporting this study are available at [repository link] under DOI: [identifier].").

3. Data Retrieval Process

  • For Reviewers and Editors:
    • During peer review, reviewers and editors may request access to the data to verify results or assess reproducibility.
    • Authors must provide access to data promptly and in a usable format.
  • For Readers and Researchers:
    • Data associated with published articles must be openly accessible via the link provided in the manuscript or the supplementary material section.
    • If issues arise with retrieving data, readers can contact the journal’s editorial office for assistance.

4. Data Types Covered

The following types of data must be shared as part of the manuscript submission process, where applicable:

  • Raw Data:
    • Original experimental or observational data collected during the study.
  • Processed Data:
    • Data that have been transformed or analyzed to generate results presented in the manuscript.
  • Supplementary Materials:
    • Additional tables, figures, or information not included in the main text but essential for understanding the study.
  • Code and Algorithms:
    • Scripts, algorithms, or workflows used to analyze data or produce findings.

5. Access and Usage Rights

  • Open Access:
    • Authors are encouraged to deposit data under open access licenses, such as Creative Commons (CC-BY), to allow unrestricted use and distribution with proper attribution.
  • Restricted Access:
    • In cases where data cannot be made fully open (e.g., due to ethical concerns or legal restrictions), authors must clearly outline the terms for data access and provide mechanisms for requesting access.
  • Data Citation:
    • Any use of data must be properly cited, referencing the original publication and the associated data repository.

6. Confidential and Sensitive Data

  • Ethical and Legal Considerations:
    • Authors must ensure that shared data comply with applicable legal, ethical, and institutional guidelines.
    • Sensitive data (e.g., human participant data) must be anonymized, and access may be restricted to authorized users only.
  • Exceptions:
    • If data sharing is not possible due to confidentiality agreements or restrictions, authors must provide a justification in the Data Availability Statement.

7. Data Integrity and Preservation

  • Data Integrity:
    • Authors are responsible for ensuring that shared data are accurate, complete, and properly documented.
  • Long-Term Preservation:
    • Authors must deposit data in repositories that guarantee long-term accessibility (minimum of 10 years) and data preservation.
  • Version Control:
    • If updates or corrections are made to shared datasets, authors must update the repository and notify the journal.

8. Data Use Monitoring

  • Misuse of Data:
    • Users of shared data must adhere to ethical research practices and not misuse the data.
    • Instances of data misuse may result in sanctions, such as restrictions on submissions or formal notification to the relevant institution.
  • Feedback Mechanisms:
    • The journal welcomes feedback from users regarding data quality or access issues to improve the policy and processes.

9. Dispute Resolution

  • Discrepancies in Data:
    • If concerns arise regarding the accuracy or reproducibility of shared data, the journal may request clarification or additional documentation from the authors.
  • Data Availability Violations:
    • If authors fail to provide accessible data as stated in their Data Availability Statement, the journal may retract the article or take corrective action.

10. Responsibilities

  • Authors:
    • Ensure all data associated with their research are accessible, usable, and properly archived.
    • Provide detailed metadata and documentation to facilitate data reuse.
  • Editors:
    • Verify that the Data Availability Statement complies with the journal’s policy.
    • Address issues related to data access or integrity raised during the review or post-publication process.
  • Readers and Researchers:
    • Use shared data responsibly and cite it appropriately.

11. Policy Updates

This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as needed to reflect advances in data-sharing practices and community standards