Barriers and facilitators to research data sharing: a lifecycle perspective

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the multifaceted barriers and facilitators affecting research data sharing across the research data lifecycle. It aims to broaden the understanding of data sharing beyond the publication phase, emphasizing the continuous nature of data sharing from generation to reuse.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Technology Acceptance Model, and the Institutional Theory to hypothesize the influence of various factors on data sharing behaviors across the lifecycle. A questionnaire survey and structural equation modeling are utilized to empirically test these hypotheses.

Findings

This study identifies critical factors influencing data sharing at different lifecycle stages, including perceived behavioral control, perceived effort, journal and funding agency pressures, subjective norms, perceived risks, resource availability, and perceived benefits. The findings highlight the complex interplay of these factors and their varying impacts at different stages of data sharing.

Research limitations/implications

This study illuminates the dynamics of research data sharing, offering insights while recognizing its scope might not capture all disciplinary and cultural nuances. It highlights pathways for stakeholders to bolster data sharing, suggesting a collaborative push towards open science, reflecting on how strategic interventions can bridge existing gaps in practice.

Practical implications

This study offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, journals, and institutions to foster a more conducive environment for data sharing, emphasizing the need for support mechanisms at various lifecycle stages.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by offering a comprehensive model of the research data lifecycle, providing empirical evidence on the factors influencing data sharing across this continuum.

Citation

He, Z. and Fang, W. (2024), "Barriers and facilitators to research data sharing: a lifecycle perspective", Journal of Documentation, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-03-2024-0048