• Unit 7: Data Sharing

    Data sharing is the ability to distribute exact information throughout multiple applications for users. Data sharing is important because it promotes the cross-flow of information and builds partnerships between researchers and organizations. Data sharing allows others to further investigate previous research or reveal new insights about an event from previously collected data. This unit will cover data sharing between multiple applications or users, review data issues with storing information on one or more servers, review terms and obstacles associated with data sharing, and address the overall benefits and disadvantages of data sharing.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • explain the advantages and disadvantages of sharing data;
      • identify data reuse, sharing, and access policies from funding agencies, institutions, and publishers;
      • assess issues/obstacles related to reusing and sharing of data, such as different legal, governance, and ethical systems; and
      • explain how open access, open science, and open data can lead to process improvements and higher levels of cooperation.

    • 7.1: Data Sharing

      Data Sharing is the process of making data available to others. This is an exchange process that allows any organization or individual to use data or metadata. Over time, data sharing has become one of the most essential methods to encourage scientific and organizational progress. Today, organizations and institutions encourage a culture of openness, accountability, and secondary analysis of data.

      • What is Data Sharing? Page

        Watch this video on the archiving and sharing of scientific data. Pay attention and take notes on the definition, meaning, and explanation of data sharing as well as how one should plan for data sharing. Then think about other contexts in which data archiving and sharing might be appropriate. What are some of the general considerations relating to data archiving and sharing? How can these general principles be applied to a specific situation?

      • What are the benefits of sharing data? Page

        Now, watch this video on the benefits of data sharing. Pay attention to discussions on the purpose of data sharing and the benefits gained from sharing data between users and agencies.

        Distributing data improves our ability to learn more about a topic. Organizations distribute data by publishing it using different platforms. This is also known as discoverability. Publishing makes it easier to share and locate data from other researchers and industries. However, it is important to discuss the pros and cons associated with sharing data prior to distributing it through publishing.

      • 7.1.1: Advantages and Disadvantages

        Data sharing promotes connection and collaboration. You learned earlier that data sharing allows researchers and analysts to share resources (data). As a result, industries can investigate and reveal new findings. However, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with sharing data across industries.

        • Better Data Sharing Rules Page

          Read this article and pay attention to the purpose of why the internet was built. What distinctions can be made about the advantages and disadvantages of data sharing?

        • Interoperability and Data Sharing Page

          Watch this video on how data sharing can improve patient safety. How can data sharing improve the healthcare industry?

    • 7.2: Data Sharing Challenges

      Data sharing has advantages for research and industry. First, researchers can further investigate or develop new concepts based on the foundation of previous research. Second, shared data can be more reliable when collected by other researchers. Third, data sharing reduces costs associated with collecting new data. However, data sharing also has disadvantages. Organizations and institutions must work together to agree on policies, guidelines, and data-sharing standards to counter data-sharing disadvantages. Next, you will learn about the issues and obstacles to sharing data.

      There have always been advocates for sharing data over the decades. The idea of using data collected for other purposes is known as secondary data analysis. Although this is widely accepted in science, barriers exist when using data from other sources. Some issues and barriers include concerns about data manipulation errors, data possessiveness, data documentation, and data management. Also, many organizations view their data as an asset and are often unwilling to share it without receiving significant compensation.

      International barriers and obstacles also exist with sharing data. It includes language differences, legal differences, differences in technology advancement, and differences in data documentation and standards.

      • Equitable Design Book

        Local and international issues and barriers are associated with data sharing. Institutions and publishers revisit publishing requirements on a continual basis to address these concerns. Therefore, revisiting publishing requirements is considered a continuous process improvement strategy to incorporate agreements on data sharing between organizations.

        Read this article and take notes on the ethical concerns and suggestions listed in each case study. What actions can you recommend to an employer to mitigate obstacles and issues associated with data sharing?

      • 7.2.1: Institutions and Publishers

        Institutions continuously engage in conversations with publishers. The primary purpose is to establish and shape data-sharing policies. This is done through cross-communication on widely accepted data principles. These principles are used to create data-sharing guidelines. Data sharing guidelines prescribe how and when to share data. As a result, institutions and publishers are compelled to agree on policies, produce guidelines, and establish compliance standards for data sharing.

        • From Data Sharing to Data Publishing Page
          Read this article, paying particular attention to the practical steps for future data publishing. How can we improve institutions and publishing by establishing standards for data repositories?

    • Study Guide: Unit 7

      We recommend reviewing this Study Guide before taking the Unit 7 Assessment.

    • Unit 7 Assessment

      • Unit 7 Assessment Quiz
        Receive a grade

        Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

        • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
        • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
        • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.