A Lenient Research Policy Is Hurting Data Sharing Practices in Social Science Research
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| Title: | A Lenient Research Policy Is Hurting Data Sharing Practices in Social Science Research |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Atul Kumar (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Academic Ethics. 2026 24(1). |
| Availability: | BioMed Central, Ltd. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://www.springer.com/gp/biomedical-sciences |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Social Science Research, Information Dissemination, Accountability, Publishing Industry, Policy, Ethics |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10805-025-09699-9 |
| ISSN: | 1570-1727 1572-8544 |
| Abstract: | Leading agencies, such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA), recommend sharing research data. Further, all major publishers also encourage researchers to practice openness and transparency by sharing the data sets. In contrast, many researchers from social science streams are reluctant to share their data sets. We employ multiple methodologies to understand the causes and repercussions of this contrast. Four case studies show no rationale for social science authors not sharing their data sets. Survey results (391 social science Scopus-Q1 authors worldwide) support the hypothesis that the non-availability of data and non-compulsion from journals/editors/reviewers are the major causes for the non-sharing of research data. Interviews with ten senior editors reveal that publishers are reluctant to impose compulsion out of the fear that there would be a reduced supply of articles if data sharing is made compulsory. The study provides reasonable evidence to conclude that those who do not share their research data are most unlikely to have it. To address this serious flaw, we recommend compulsory data sharing to discourage unauthentic research not backed up by underlying data. This paper uses sizable empirical evidence to highlight the lack of authenticity in social science research. It further recommends policy change to make data sharing compulsory to increase the authenticity of social science research. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Notes: | https://www.openicpsr.org/openicpsr/project/223081/version/V2/view |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1495476 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Leading agencies, such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA), recommend sharing research data. Further, all major publishers also encourage researchers to practice openness and transparency by sharing the data sets. In contrast, many researchers from social science streams are reluctant to share their data sets. We employ multiple methodologies to understand the causes and repercussions of this contrast. Four case studies show no rationale for social science authors not sharing their data sets. Survey results (391 social science Scopus-Q1 authors worldwide) support the hypothesis that the non-availability of data and non-compulsion from journals/editors/reviewers are the major causes for the non-sharing of research data. Interviews with ten senior editors reveal that publishers are reluctant to impose compulsion out of the fear that there would be a reduced supply of articles if data sharing is made compulsory. The study provides reasonable evidence to conclude that those who do not share their research data are most unlikely to have it. To address this serious flaw, we recommend compulsory data sharing to discourage unauthentic research not backed up by underlying data. This paper uses sizable empirical evidence to highlight the lack of authenticity in social science research. It further recommends policy change to make data sharing compulsory to increase the authenticity of social science research. |
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| ISSN: | 1570-1727 1572-8544 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10805-025-09699-9 |
