Data Archiving and Sharing Policy
IIIJ supports transparent, reusable research across in vitro, in vivo, and in silico domains. We encourage authors to archive supporting data in trusted repositories and to provide data availability statements that clarify access conditions. Our policy balances open science with ethical, legal, and privacy requirements.
In Vitro
Assay data, images, and protocols
In Vivo
Animal and clinical datasets with safeguards
In Silico
Code, models, and computational outputs
Responsible Data Sharing Across Methods
Laboratory Data
Reproducibility First- Share raw and processed assay results when possible
- Provide imaging files with adequate metadata
- Include protocol details and reagent sources
- Use stable repositories for long term access
Animal and Clinical Data
Ethical Safeguards- De identify sensitive data where required
- Comply with institutional and national regulations
- Use controlled access repositories when necessary
- Document consent limitations clearly
Computational Outputs
Code and Models- Share code, scripts, and model parameters
- Provide versioning and software dependencies
- Include training and validation datasets when allowed
- Document data preprocessing steps
Where to Archive Data
Data Availability Statements
All manuscripts must include a data availability statement that explains where the supporting data are stored and how they can be accessed. If data are not publicly available, explain the restriction and provide a contact or access pathway for qualified researchers.
Embargoes and Restricted Data
Embargoes are permitted when necessary to protect intellectual property or participant privacy. Authors should specify embargo duration and the conditions under which data will become available. Restricted data must still be described with enough detail to support transparency.
Supplementary Materials
Large datasets, extended tables, and additional images can be uploaded as supplementary files. These materials should be well labeled and referenced in the manuscript. Supplementary content should be organized so that it can be reused by other researchers.
Data Licensing
Where possible, data should be shared under an open license that permits reuse with proper attribution. If licensing restrictions apply, describe them clearly in the data availability statement.
Choosing the Right Repository
Select repositories that are trusted in your field and provide stable identifiers. Institutional repositories, domain specific archives, and general repositories are all acceptable if they provide persistent access. Include repository links and accession numbers in the manuscript.
Sensitive and Clinical Data
For clinical or sensitive datasets, use controlled access repositories or provide a secure data access process. Do not share personal identifiers. The data availability statement should explain how qualified researchers can request access under ethical safeguards.
Data Citation
When datasets or code are deposited, cite them in the references where possible. Data citations improve credit for data generation and help readers locate supporting materials for validation or reuse.
File Formats and Documentation
Provide data in widely used, non proprietary formats when possible. Include a short README or metadata file describing variables, file organization, and analysis steps so that other researchers can interpret the data correctly.
Data Quality Assurance
Before archiving, check data for completeness, consistency, and accuracy. Remove duplicate files and ensure that variable definitions match those described in the manuscript. Clean data improves usability and reduces follow up questions from reviewers.
Long Term Preservation
Choose repositories that commit to long term access and assign persistent identifiers. Stable preservation protects the scholarly record and supports future replication or meta analysis across all three research domains.
Data Review at Acceptance
Editors may confirm that repository links are active at acceptance. Ensure that data are accessible or that controlled access instructions are complete before final publication. This step helps prevent delays in production. Links may be checked again at proof stage.
Open data accelerates discovery. IIIJ encourages responsible archiving so that results can be validated, reused, and expanded across laboratory, clinical, and computational research.
Need Guidance on Data Sharing?
Our editorial office can advise on suitable repositories and data availability statements. Contact [email protected] for support before submission and for repository recommendations in your field. We can also review draft data statements and access notes. Early consultation is strongly encouraged for complex datasets and timelines.
