Meta-research studies should improve and evaluate their own data sharing practices

Data sharing is gradually becoming a requirement across all fields of science, owing to its key benefits in verifying the reproducibility of findings and reusing existent data for new purposes. Although metaresearch studies are complex, time-consuming, and hinge on the availability of data produced and curated by others, there has been little focus on how they make their own data available. This is in stark contrast to the heightened attention data sharing has received in clinical research. Yet, as secondary data users par excellence, metaresearchers are ethically bound to both improving and evaluating data sharing practices and correctly sharing their own data. We contrast particularities of data sharing in metaresearch and clinical research, such as benefits, barriers, and inadequate and potentially pervasive sharing practices. We conclude with an array of concrete and tailored recommendations for improvement.