When epidemics like Zika and Ebola flare, researchers are quick to make data publicly available to more quickly communicate research results and work toward a solution. However, this type of data sharing shouldn't be restricted to times of public health emergencies, according to an essay published in PLoS Medicine. Sharing data in the absence of pressing endemics prepares the scientific community for future outbreaks.
"The acute health threat of outbreaks provides a strong argument for more complete, quick and broad sharing of research data during emergencies. But the Ebola and Zika outbreaks suggest that data sharing cannot be limited to emergencies without compromising emergency preparedness," the authors wrote. "To prepare for future outbreaks, the scientific community should expand data sharing for all health research."
The authors described how researchers openly shared data during the Ebola outbreak. Researchers — even those unaffiliated with official response efforts — shared reports in public repositories and databases. Eighty percent of peer-reviewed epidemiological modeling studies published during the outbreak used open data, according to the authors.
However, the authors acknowledge challenges with openly sharing data. First, there are no standards to credit those who share data, and some researchers may be wary to provide open access to information without receiving appropriate credit. Second, researchers question if sharing data will be as beneficial to their "scholarly stature" as publishing primary research would be, according to the authors, and there is a fear other researchers may use such open data to their own advantage. A third obstacle, according to the authors, is inadequate technology and standards. The authors indicate central databases generally do not exist for most types of research data, and independent databases use different standards.
Bearing these challenges in mind, the research community should integrate open data sharing into routine research, the authors conclude. "Establishing openness as the standard will help build the scientific foundation needed to contain the next outbreak," they wrote.
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