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Review
. 2015 Oct;30(10):581-589.
doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2015.07.006.

Archiving Primary Data: Solutions for Long-Term Studies

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Review

Archiving Primary Data: Solutions for Long-Term Studies

James A Mills et al. Trends Ecol Evol. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

The recent trend for journals to require open access to primary data included in publications has been embraced by many biologists, but has caused apprehension amongst researchers engaged in long-term ecological and evolutionary studies. A worldwide survey of 73 principal investigators (Pls) with long-term studies revealed positive attitudes towards sharing data with the agreement or involvement of the PI, and 93% of PIs have historically shared data. Only 8% were in favor of uncontrolled, open access to primary data while 63% expressed serious concern. We present here their viewpoint on an issue that can have non-trivial scientific consequences. We discuss potential costs of public data archiving and provide possible solutions to meet the needs of journals and researchers.

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Comment in

  • A Balanced Data Archiving Policy for Long-Term Studies.
    Whitlock MC, Bronstein JL, Bruna EM, Ellison AM, Fox CW, McPeek MA, Moore AJ, Noor MAF, Rausher MD, Rieseberg LH, Ritchie MG, Shaw RG. Whitlock MC, et al. Trends Ecol Evol. 2016 Feb;31(2):84-85. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2015.12.001. Epub 2015 Dec 17. Trends Ecol Evol. 2016. PMID: 26708957 No abstract available.
  • Solutions for Archiving Data in Long-Term Studies: A Reply to Whitlock et al.
    Mills JA, Teplitsky C, Arroyo B, Charmantier A, Becker PH, Birkhead TR, Bize P, Blumstein DT, Bonenfant C, Boutin S, Bushuev A, Cam E, Cockburn A, Côté SD, Coulson JC, Daunt F, Dingemanse NJ, Doligez B, Drummond H, Espie RHM, Festa-Bianchet M, Frentiu FD, Fitzpatrick JW, Furness RW, Gauthier G, Grant PR, Griesser M, Gustafsson L, Hansson B, Harris MP, Jiguet F, Kjellander P, Korpimäki E, Krebs CJ, Lens L, Linnell JDC, Low M, McAdam A, Margalida A, Merilä J, Møller AP, Nakagawa S, Nilsson JÅ, Nisbet ICT, van Noordwijk AJ, Oro D, Pärt T, Pelletier F, Potti J, Pujol B, Réale D, Rockwell RF, Ropert-Coudert Y, Roulin A, Thébaud C, Sedinger JS, Swenson JE, Visser ME, Wanless S, Westneat DF, Wilson AJ, Zedrosser A. Mills JA, et al. Trends Ecol Evol. 2016 Feb;31(2):85-87. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2015.12.004. Epub 2016 Jan 7. Trends Ecol Evol. 2016. PMID: 26778168 No abstract available.

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