Anforderungen an Open-Access-Publikation von Forschungsdaten - Empfehlungen für einen offenen Umgang mit Forschungsdaten

Abstract

There is an increasing demand for the publication of research data, especially in the context of research funding, in order to make research results comprehensible, reproducible and reusable. With a view to publishing the data, it should be taken into account that not all data is equally relevant and interesting for subsequent scientific re-use. Also, in the course of the research process, a number of legally relevant regulations and agreements with different actors are concluded. As a rule, these are agreed upon independently of each other, they are not sufficiently aligned, and are sometimes – even within the framework of data management plans – designed in a manner which prevents data publication or at least makes it more difficult. The publication of research data is only considered, if at all, at the end of the research process. At that point in time, however, the examination of the legal situation with regard to the data, the selection and preparation of the data for publication requires a considerable effort and may even be no longer possible. In this article, we present the aspects which must be considered for the selection of the data for publication, and discuss when it is necessary to examine the legal situation of the data in order to enable an open data publication. This includes considering the roles of all involved actors such as cooperation partners, research funders and repository operators as well as the respective legal framework of the research data. In order to facilitate analysing the legal situation of the data, an approach for the formation of case groups is shown. However, this approach must be refined within projects and current developments in research data management. The case-group-oriented approach serves as an aid for advising researchers on research data management in practice. Data management plans and other agreements concluded in the course of the research process can be designed with regard to the re-use of research data. Suitable licensing recommendations for the open access publication of research data can be given during training courses and consultations. The aim is to publish as much of the data which is relevant for publication as possible in open access and in accordance with the FAIR principles1 and to avoid unnecessary restrictions.