Research Data

On Research Data

Research data are data obtained or generated through various research methods to support scientific findings, test hypotheses, and formulate conclusions. They are created in different forms and formats, such as notes, interviews, transcripts, photographs, numerical data, questionnaires, software code, and other digital records. When data are not in digital form, authors are encouraged to consider their digitisation, as this enables appropriate storage and long-term accessibility in data repositories.

The availability of research data contributes to greater transparency, verifiability, and reproducibility of research and enables their further use in future studies. Data sharing increases the scientific value of published articles, enhances the visibility of authors’ research work, and promotes collaboration within the research community, in line with the principles of open science.

Research Data Availability and Open Access

We strive to ensure that published research is transparent and reproducible. In accordance with the Regulation on the Implementation of Scientific Research Activities, the journal’s (co-)funder — the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency — requires that authors ensure open access to the research data used in the preparation of an article prior to its publication. The data must be prepared in compliance with the FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability).

Exceptions to Full Open Access to Research Data

When research data cannot be shared in fully open access due to legal, ethical, or other justified reasons, authors must provide an explanation. This applies, for example, in cases involving the protection of personal data (see the EU General Data Protection Regulation), materials containing trade secrets or other commercially sensitive information regulated by law, or data that pose security risks. The Regulation defines open access to research data and other research outputs from publicly funded research in accordance with the principle “as open as possible, as closed as necessary”.

List of Trusted Repositories

Authors must deposit their research data in trusted data repositories, archives, or centres that provide appropriate access regimes. Trusted data repositories recommended by the journal’s (co-)funder are published here.

The journal’s editorial board recommends that Slovenian researchers deposit their research data in Slovenian trusted repositories, such as:

Authors may also identify suitable data repositories using online tools such as fairsharing.org or re3data.org.

We recommend the use of the Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 or CC0 1.0 licences, or equivalent licences, when publishing research data.

Citation of Research Data

Authors must appropriately cite all data sources used — in accordance with the repository’s guidelines and the citation style used by the journal (APA, 7th edition) — or provide a suitable description in the data availability statement if the data are not digitised or cannot be published due to other restrictions (e.g. the Personal Data Protection Act (ZVOP-2), the Copyright and Related Rights Act (ZASP)). A link to the published research data (e.g. a DOI) must be included in the reference list and, where appropriate, also in a footnote.

Guidelines for Editors and Reviewers

The editorial policy should include guidance instructing editors and reviewers to consider the following when assessing submissions:

  • whether the authors adequately define the availability of research data,

  • whether the data availability statement complies with the RRP and ethical guidelines,

  • whether the accompanying data or the description of access conditions enables the verification and reproducibility of the research.