Incentivising best practice in research data sharing: Findings from an experimental approach

Sharing research data in repositories is considered best practice as it supports the FAIR principles but most researchers share data by other methods. At PLOS, which mandates data sharing, supporting information is the most common method of sharing. To incentivise use of repositories we introduced 2 solutions: Dryad repository integration with our manuscript submission system and an "Accessible Data" icon added to articles that link to data in a repository. Dryad integration use was below expectations (~2% of authors). Among those aware of the feature (53%), only half understood how to use it. Other common reasons for not using it were data already uploaded elsewhere, concerns about others using the data, lack of time, and too much effort required. Other challenges related to sharing included the resources required (time/money), discovering sharing requirements late in the research process, and a feeling that their data wouldn’t be used. Even if the awareness and understanding challenges are addressed, these more broad challenges to repository sharing still pose barriers. ~3500 articles received the Accessible Data icon. Author surveys revealed moderately high awareness (69%), however, those aware of the feature weren’t more likely to share data in a repository. Some researchers felt this feature made shared data more prominent and would help normalize the practice. The Accessible Data icon doesn’t address the challenges authors feel about sharing in a repository, including resources required and potential misuse of the data, and may be exacerbated these by making it easier for others to access the data.