Data Sharing Policy

Research Transparency

Data Sharing Policy

Supporting transparency, reproducibility, responsible data stewardship, and scientific collaboration.

The Journal of Health and Nutrition Research is committed to fostering openness and collaboration in scientific research. Authors are strongly encouraged to share the data supporting their findings whenever sharing is ethically, legally, and practically possible. Shared data can improve research verification, enable responsible reuse, and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Effective Date: December 2026 Issue

This policy will be implemented prospectively. A Data Availability Statement is mandatory for all articles published in the December 2026 issue and all subsequent issues. Manuscripts scheduled for publication in these issues must include the statement before final acceptance or publication.

Articles published before December 2026 are not required to add a Data Availability Statement retrospectively, and the absence of such a statement in earlier articles should not be considered non-compliance. During the transition period, authors are encouraged to include the statement voluntarily whenever possible.

Core Policy Requirements

1

State Data Availability

For articles published from the December 2026 issue onward, include a complete and accurate Data Availability Statement in the manuscript and provide corresponding information during online submission.

2

Use a Trusted Repository

When possible, deposit data in a reputable subject-specific, institutional, or general public repository that provides stable access and persistent identifiers.

3

Provide Access Information

Add the repository name, dataset title, DOI, accession number, or stable URL to the manuscript so that readers can locate the data.

4

Document the Dataset

Provide sufficient metadata, a README file, codebook, data dictionary, units, variable definitions, and relevant analysis documentation.

5

Protect Participants

Do not share directly identifiable or inadequately de-identified information. Data sharing must comply with participant consent, ethics approval, privacy, and applicable law.

6

Explain Any Restriction

If data cannot be shared openly, identify the ethical, legal, contractual, commercial, or privacy reason and describe any controlled-access procedure.

Repository and File Standards

  • Use a repository suitable for the discipline and type of data.
  • Prefer commonly used, accessible, and non-proprietary file formats when possible.
  • Include raw or minimally processed data needed to support the reported findings, subject to ethical and legal limitations.
  • Provide analysis code, protocols, or supporting materials when needed to understand or reproduce the results.
  • Use clear file names, version information, and a license describing permitted reuse.
  • Cite the dataset in the manuscript when a formal data citation is available.

Sensitive or Restricted Data

  • Participant privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent take priority over open sharing.
  • Authors must confirm that they have the legal and ethical authority to share the data.
  • Where open access is not possible, state whether controlled access may be requested and identify the responsible data custodian or committee.
  • Restrictions must be described transparently and should not be broader or longer than necessary.
  • The journal may request clarification regarding restrictions during editorial assessment.

Embargoes and Exceptions

Authors may request a reasonable embargo when immediate public release is not possible. The request should identify the proposed duration, planned release date, repository, and justification. Any exception to data sharing will be considered carefully in relation to ethical obligations, legal restrictions, participant consent, contractual commitments, and the ability to verify the research.

An embargo or restriction must be disclosed in the Data Availability Statement. Authors should update repository access and persistent links when the embargo ends.

Data Availability Statement Examples

Select and adapt the statement that accurately represents the study. Replace all bracketed text with complete information.

Data openly available in a repository

The data supporting the findings of this study are openly available in [Repository Name] at [DOI or stable URL], under accession or reference number [Number].

Data included in the article

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.

Data available on reasonable request

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The data are not publicly available because [Brief Reason].

Data subject to ethical, privacy, or legal restrictions

The data are not publicly available due to [Privacy, Ethical, Legal, or Contractual Restriction]. Requests for controlled access may be directed to [Data Custodian or Committee] and are subject to [Applicable Conditions].

No new data created or analyzed

No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article.

Data under an approved embargo

The data supporting this study will be made available in [Repository Name] at [DOI or URL] following an embargo ending on [Date]. The embargo is requested because [Brief Rationale].

Author Data-Sharing Checklist

□  A Data Availability Statement is included.
□  Consent, privacy, ethics, and legal requirements are satisfied.
□  The repository link, DOI, or accession number has been tested.
□  Identifiable information has not been shared improperly.
□  Files use accessible formats and clear naming.
□  A README, codebook, and metadata are provided where relevant.
□  Embargoes or restrictions include a duration and justification.
□  The statement matches the manuscript and OJS submission metadata.

Mandatory from the December 2026 issue onward. By following this policy, authors support responsible research openness while protecting participant rights, confidentiality, and applicable legal or ethical obligations.