Is Sharing Datasets the Answer to the New Challenges of Reproductive Biology Research?

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Scientific Communication

Background:

• Data sharing is crucial for advancing scientific research by improving speed, resource efficiency, transparency, and reproducibility.
• Understanding data sharing behaviors within specific scientific communities is essential for promoting best practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze data sharing practices within the reproductive biology research community.
• To identify the types of journals most actively engaged in data sharing within this field.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data sharing trends in reproductive biology research.
• Examination of journal metrics, specifically Journal Citation Reports (JCR) quartiles, to assess activity.

Main Results:

• Reproductive biology journals categorized as Q1 (44%) and Q2 (36%) by JCR demonstrate the highest levels of engagement in data sharing.
• These findings highlight a concentration of data sharing activities in high-impact journals within the field.

Conclusions:

• High-impact reproductive biology journals (Q1 and Q2) are leading the adoption of data sharing.
• Promoting data sharing in these leading journals can further encourage its widespread implementation across the field.