In the eighth annual The State of Open Data report, almost three-quarters of surveyed researchers overwhelmingly said they are still not getting the support they need to share their data openly. Such data highlights the increased need for greater community collaboration and tools to support researchers in the move to sustainable open science practices.
For the remaining 23% of respondents who had sought and received support with data sharing, the support primarily came from internal sources (colleague/supervisor - 61%), followed by institutional libraries (31%), research office / in-house institutional expertise (26%), publishers (21%) and funders (17%).
Over 6000 researchers responded globally, with the highest proportion of responses from India (12%), China (11%) and the United States (9%). For the first time, this year respondents were asked about their experiences of using artificial intelligence (AI) to collect and share data. At a time when almost three-quarters of researchers surveyed say they have never received any support with making their data openly available, looking at the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for supporting the data-sharing process and benchmarking current attitudes may enable stakeholders across the research ecosystem to consider the future role that AI could play in the research process.
Key findings from this year's report reveal several noteworthy trends. Firstly, a significant 60% of respondents feel that they are not adequately acknowledged for sharing their data. This persistent concern about receiving due credit has spanned the last eight years of The State of Open Data reports. This issue hampers the advancement of open science and sustainable data sharing practices by eroding incentives, trust, and collaboration.
A crucial takeaway is the imperative for a more nuanced global approach to research data management. The notion that one size does not fit all is underscored, with a notable 64% expressing support for a national mandate on open research data. Notably, respondents from India and Germany exhibited even higher levels of support at 71%, highlighting regional variations in perspectives. This insight emphasizes the necessity of tailoring strategies to diverse cultural and national contexts.
Surprisingly, career stage does not emerge as a significant factor influencing open data awareness or support levels. This finding underscores the importance of more inclusive outreach efforts when organizing discussions, forums, and panels in the open research space. By recognizing that individuals across various career stages share similar levels of awareness and support, efforts can be more effectively targeted and inclusive.
Despite increasing awareness, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into open research practices lags. While nearly half of the respondents were aware of generative AI tools for data collection, processing, and metadata creation, the majority have not yet incorporated these tools into their workflows. This discrepancy between awareness and action signals a need for increased education and practical guidance to bridge the gap between knowledge and implementation in the realm of AI-driven research practices.
Springer Nature is a proactive partner to the research community, pioneering new approaches to data sharing and committed to supporting researchers in making data sharing the new normal. Learn more about Springer Nature’s engagement towards open data here.
The full State of Open Data report can be accessed on Figshare: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.24428194 and the following CAS report will be available at the end of November.
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