Separating facts from fiction: Gates Open Research dispels open data myths 

At Gates Open Research, we know that data sharing is often surrounded by misconceptions that can hold researchers back from embracing its benefits. That’s why we’re here to separate fact from fiction and shed light on the truth about open data. In this guide, we’ll address common myths and offer practical advice on how to share your data effectively.

Myth: “I don’t have any data!”

Research data takes many forms—textual, numerical, geospatial, imaging, audio-visual, and machine-generated data all count. Even non-digital materials, such as paper documents or analogue recordings, can often be digitized for sharing. Gates Open Research recognizes that data exists in diverse formats, and we encourage researchers to share data that underpins their work at any stage of the project.

Myth: “Data sharing isn’t relevant in my field.”

While data sharing practices may look different across disciplines, the core benefits—reproducibility, proper credit for your work, and opportunities for reuse—apply to every field of research. Whether you work with clinical trial results, survey data, genomic sequences, or qualitative interviews, sharing your data strengthens the integrity and impact of your work.

Gates Open Research endorses the FAIR Data Principles as the foundation for promoting the broadest possible reuse of research data. And the momentum is building: funders like the Gates Foundation are increasingly introducing data sharing mandates, making open data not just best practice, but a requirement for grantees. In short, data sharing isn’t just relevant to your field, it’s becoming essential.

Myth: “My data isn’t useful to anyone else.”

Research data has value beyond academia, helping policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders. Sharing data also helps reduce duplication and encourages integrative analyses. At Gates Open Research, we’ve seen firsthand how open data can drive innovation and create unexpected opportunities for collaboration.

Myth: “Data sharing is too difficult.”

Institutions now provide support through data stewards and librarians, who help with planning and management. Beyond this, many funders have started allowing data management to be included in project budgets. Gates Open Research makes the process easier by providing clear guidance and support for researchers navigating data sharing requirements. 

Gates Open Research offers comprehensive data guidelines that specify where to submit different types of data and what to include in your data availability statement. For Gates-funded researchers specifically, the platform ensures alignment with the Gates Foundation’s Open Access Policy, which requires that data underlying published research results be accessible and open immediately. Gates Open Research provides practical guidance on adding data availability statements to manuscripts, ensuring researchers meet these requirements while maintaining appropriate security for sensitive data when necessary. 

Myth: “I’m not sure I have the right to share my data.”

Collaborating early with stakeholders and using a data management plan helps clarify rights and responsibilities, ensuring transparency and avoiding potential conflicts. Gates Open Research encourages authors to address data rights early in the research process to facilitate smooth sharing. In addition, we have specific resources to help researchers navigate data rights and permissions: 

Guide: Considering data rights and permissions in investments – A practical guide for researchers on how to address data rights and permissions when planning research projects and investments.

Developing a data management plan: A checklist – A comprehensive checklist for researchers in creating a data management plan, addressing key considerations on assigning roles and responsibilities, clarifying data ownership, determining appropriate licenses, and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

Our data guidelines relay the Gates Open Research policy on data availability, which requires all authors to share the underlying data which relates to their article. If you cannot share your data, for example for ethical reasons, a limited number of exceptions to these guidelines are provided below.

Myth: “My data is too sensitive to share.”

Sensitive data can often be shared responsibly through anonymization or controlled access. If sharing isn’t possible, publishing metadata records still allows others to discover and understand your work. 

For example, you could post a “data codebook” or “data dictionary” in a repository that describes the variables used in your dataset. You can cite the article in which it appears to connect the data description to the paper. Similarly, you can cite the metadata record in your article as part of your data availability statement, which should also include the conditions under which your data may be accessed.

Myth: “My data could be misinterpreted.”

Providing clear documentation, such as a data dictionary, helps others understand your dataset. This supports reuse and minimizes the risk of misinterpretation. A data dictionary is a separate file where each variable is defined, including units and ranges, or other useful information for interpreting the dataset. By helping others better understand your data, a data dictionary supports reuse and reproducibility and helps avoid misinterpretation.

Myth: “My data will be reused inappropriately.”

Rich metadata and clear documentation prevent misuse and enable tracking of inappropriate use. For sensitive data, data use agreements specify terms for reuse. Gates Open Research supports transparent data sharing practices that protect both researchers and their work.

Myth: “I’m worried about my data being scooped.”

Data sharing actually proves ownership through authorship and formal citations, providing a timestamped, citable record of your work. Rather than fearing being scooped, researchers have the opportunity to gain recognition and collaborate. When others reuse your data, they’re required to cite it formally, giving you credit and increasing the visibility of your research.

Gates Open Research operates on an open research publishing model with rapid publication timelines. Articles are published within days of acceptance and immediately receive a DOI, establishing priority and making your work, including the data behind it, part of the permanent scholarly record. This transparency protects researchers by creating a clear public trail of who generated what data and when.

Myth: “Sharing my data now will impact my ability to publish later.”

Most journals support data sharing and recognize its value. Additionally, publications associated with shared datasets often receive more citations. Gates Open Research actively encourages data sharing as part of our commitment to transparency and reproducibility in research.

Myth: “I can share my data as a supplementary file or via email.”

For data sharing to reach its full potential, it’s important that data is shared as FAIRly as possible. FAIR data principles advocate for preservation in trusted repositories, ensuring data stays accessible and useful in the long term. Gates Open Research encourages researchers to deposit their data in appropriate repositories that align with FAIR principles.

Myth: “Data sharing has no influence on my career.” 

Not directly—however, data sharing can lead to new collaborations, increased citations, and future career opportunities, particularly as open research gains momentum. Gates Open Research is committed to supporting researchers who embrace open data practices, helping them maximize the impact and reach of their work. 

Data sharing is more than a trend, it’s a transformative practice that benefits researchers and the broader research community. At Gates Open Research, we’re passionate about addressing author-facing challenges and supporting researchers in adopting FAIR principles. By doing so, researchers can unlock the full potential of their data, fostering innovation, collaboration, and recognition. 

Discover more on Gates Open Research. Publish your funded work with Gates Open Research via VeriXiv, the new Gates-partnered preprint server.