Five great reasons to share your research data

Many journals require you to share the research data underpinning your research in a repository such as UQ eSpace. 

Sharing your data can benefit your career in some interesting ways. In this post, read why you should be making more of your research data openly available.

Ways sharing data benefits you

1. Improve your visibility as a researcher

Data published in a repository can be discovered more easily by a wide range of researchers, beyond those reading the journal in which you're published, using common web tools and research aggregator websites. 

2. Increase citations for your publications

Sharing the data your article is based on builds confidence in your work and is associated with an increase in citations to the article.

Researchers who have found your dataset may be prompted to read your article as a result.

3. Get recognition for your work

Publishing your research data to a repository will give you a digital object identifier (DOI) and a format to cite your dataset.  

Many journals allow you to cite your dataset in a reference list and, if the data is available for reuse, you can be cited.

4. Attract new collaborations

Making your data more discoverable can lead to others finding your work. They may want to work collaboratively to build on the data you’ve created or generate interesting opportunities including beyond your own discipline.

5. Allow for reproducibility and verification of results

The integrity of your research is supported by publishing your research datasets.  It allows others to reproduce or replicate your results, increasing transparency, which can enhance your reputation as a researcher.

Next steps to sharing more data

Learn how to publish a dataset with UQ's Research Data Manager (UQRDM) software

Check out Publish a dataset with UQRDM and UQ eSpace to learn how to deposit, share and preserve datasets at UQ.

Come to training

Attend a library training workshop to gain skills in data sharing and publishing. We can help you:

  • prepare your data for sharing
  • use UQRDM and eSpace to publish data
  • meet your journals requirements 
  • cite your data.

Get specialist assistance

Email data@library.uq.edu.au to contact the Research Data Services Team for support.

Last updated:
18 March 2022