Research Data Management

Research Data Management

Research Data Management (Instructions for Authors)

The journal Dignitas supports open access to research data, which form the foundation of contemporary scientific research. The availability of research data contributes to the transparency, reproducibility, and verifiability of research results and thereby strengthens scientific integrity.

About Research Data

Research data are data obtained through various methods for exploring, testing, or confirming hypotheses and for drawing conclusions within the framework of research. They may appear in different formats, such as:

  • notes and diary records,
  • interviews, transcripts, questionnaires,
  • photographs, video and audio recordings,
  • numerical data and statistical datasets,
  • source code, computer outputs,
  • databases and other digital objects.

Where data are not recorded or stored in digital form, the journal recommends that authors assess the possibility of digitization, as this enables long-term preservation, improved accessibility, and reuse of materials. Data should generally be stored in a data repository together with the accompanying documentation (metadata, methodological descriptions, codebooks, instruments).

Availability of Research Data

Sharing research data:

  • increases transparency and verifiability of research findings,
  • enables reuse of data in future research,
  • improves the efficiency of public and private investments in research activities,
  • contributes to greater visibility of researchers and potential new collaborations.

Policy on Mandatory Citation of Research Data

Upon submission of a manuscript to the editorial office of Dignitas, authors must ensure that the research data used in preparing the article are properly cited and—where possible—made available in a trusted repository.

Research data must be prepared in accordance with the FAIR principles:

  • Findable,
  • Accessible,
  • Interoperable,
  • Reusable.

Exceptions to Fully Open Access to Research Data

Where data cannot be shared fully openly due to legal, ethical, or other justified reasons, authors must provide a justification. This may apply, for example, in cases involving the protection of personal data (see the EU General Data Protection Regulation), materials containing trade secrets or other legally protected commercial information, or data posing security risks. Open access to research data and other research outputs from publicly co-funded research is understood in accordance with the principle “as open as possible, as closed as necessary.”

List of Trusted Repositories

Authors must deposit research data in trusted data repositories, archives, or centers that provide appropriate access regimes. Trusted repositories recommended by the (co)funder of the journal are published on the ARIS website in the list of repositories.

The editorial board recommends that Slovenian researchers deposit their research data in Slovenian trusted repositories, such as:

Authors may also identify suitable repositories through online tools such as:

https://fairsharing.org

https://www.re3data.org

For publishing research data, the use of Creative Commons licenses CC BY 4.0 or CC0 1.0, or equivalent licenses, is recommended.

Citation of Research Data

Authors must properly cite all data sources used in accordance with:

  • the instructions of the selected repository, and
  • the citation style of the journal (e.g., APA or other style specified by the editorial board of Dignitas).

A link to the published research data (e.g., DOI or permanent URL) must be included:

  • in the reference list, and
  • where appropriate, also in a footnote.

If data are not digitized or cannot be published due to restrictions (e.g., GDPR or other legal constraints), the author must clearly state in the data availability statement:

  • where the data are located,
  • under what conditions they are accessible,
  • whether and how access can be granted.

Responsibilities of Authors, Editors, and Reviewers

Data must be made available to editors and reviewers at the time of manuscript submission for peer review, and to the public no later than the publication of the article. An embargo on data access is permitted only exceptionally, subject to reasonable conditions and appropriate justification.

It is the responsibility of the editor to assess whether the article is based on research data (either the author’s own data or data from other authors). If the editor determines that such data exist and have not been properly cited, the editor must request that the author revise the manuscript accordingly. The same applies to journal reviewers.

Additional Information

For further clarification, authors may contact the editorial office (jernej.letnar@fds.nova-uni.si) or the appropriate support institutions for research data management. Additional information on research data management can also be found in the Handbook on Research Data Management Planning.