Where necessary, we encourage authors to share data to support the publication of studies and to interlink data with their published articles. “Research data” refers to the results of observations or experiments that confirm research findings, including but not limited to raw data, processed data, software, algorithms, protocols, models, methods, and other related materials.

Authors who chose to deposit their data in a data repository can link their article directly to the dataset by stating the DOI or accession number.

Specifically, authors are required to fill in a data-sharing statement form, which should be submitted along with their manuscript. The Availability of Data statement will be included in the article. The statement includes information regarding what data in particular will be shared, indicates whether additional related documents will be available (e.g., study protocol or a statistical analysis plan), as well as when and for how long the data will be available and what access criteria data will be shared (including with whom, for what types of analyses, and by what mechanism).

Meanwhile, the journal follows the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)’s policy, which requires clinical trials that began enrolling participants on or after January 1, 2019, to include a data-sharing plan in the trial’s registration. The ICMJE's policy regarding trial registration is explained at www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/publishing-and-editorial-issues/clinical-trial-registration.html. Should the data-sharing plan change after registration, this should be reflected in the statement submitted and published with the manuscript and updated in the registry record.