Research Data Policy

Data Sharing Policy

Introduction

The Insights - Journal of Medical and Dental Research (IJMDR) promotes data transparency and accessibility to enhance the credibility, reproducibility, and impact of published research. This policy outlines the journal’s expectations regarding data sharing, ensuring that authors contribute to a more collaborative and verifiable scientific environment.

Purpose

Data sharing strengthens scientific discovery, validation, and innovation in medical and dental research. By making research data accessible, authors support:

  • The verification of findings.
  • The exploration of new research questions beyond the original study.
  • Greater collaboration and knowledge dissemination within the research community.

Scope

This policy applies to all manuscripts submitted to IJMDR, including but not limited to:

  • Original research articles
  • Systematic reviews
  • Meta-analyses

Authors are encouraged to follow best practices for data management and sharing to promote openness in scientific research.

Data Availability Statement

Authors must include a Data Availability Statement in their manuscript, specifying:

  • Whether research data is available and where it can be accessed.
  • The repository where the dataset is stored, with a persistent identifier or DOI.
  • Any conditions for access if the dataset is not publicly available.
  • A justification if data cannot be shared due to ethical, legal, or privacy constraints.

Recommended Data Repositories

To ensure long-term accessibility and preservation, authors should deposit their datasets in recognized public repositories appropriate for their field. The repository should provide:

  • Permanent storage of datasets.
  • Ease of access for researchers and practitioners.
  • DOIs or persistent links for dataset citations.

Exceptions & Restrictions

While IJMDR encourages open data sharing, the journal acknowledges that certain datasets may be restricted due to:

  • Ethical concerns (e.g., patient confidentiality).
  • Privacy regulations and data protection laws.
  • Commercial or proprietary restrictions.

If data sharing is not possible, authors must clearly state the reasons in their Data Availability Statement and, where feasible, provide alternative means of verification.

Ethical & Legal Compliance

Authors are responsible for ensuring that data sharing complies with:

  • Relevant ethical guidelines (e.g., informed consent, participant rights).
  • Privacy regulations, including de-identification of sensitive data.
  • Institutional and legal frameworks governing data management.

Failure to comply with ethical or legal standards may impact manuscript acceptance.

Data Citation & Attribution

Research datasets should be formally cited in the manuscript’s reference list, similar to traditional scholarly citations. When available, authors must include:

  • Persistent identifiers (DOIs) or official repository links.
  • Proper attribution to original dataset creators.

This ensures proper acknowledgment of data contributions and promotes responsible research practices.

Compliance & Journal Enforcement

  • Adhering to the data sharing policy is a requirement for publication in IJMDR.
  • The editorial team may request additional details on data availability.
  • Non-compliance with data-sharing expectations may lead to manuscript rejection or requests for revisions.

Support for Authors

IJMDR is committed to supporting authors in navigating data-sharing best practices. Researchers with concerns regarding data accessibility, repository selection, or ethical considerations are encouraged to contact the editorial office for guidance.

Policy Framework & Best Practices

This policy aligns with global data-sharing standards, incorporating principles from:

  • The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).
  • The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
  • The FAIR Data Principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), ensuring best practices in scientific data stewardship.

By promoting responsible and transparent data-sharing practices, IJMDR supports the advancement of medical and dental research while maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity.