Why open access to research data?

Access to quality research data is the key to advancing knowledge, innovation and further application of research.

Open access data is greatly beneficial to data owners, users of data, researchers, young scholars and students. By providing access to previously inaccessible data, new possibilities for interdisciplinary studies and analyses are created. Open data allows more research from the same data, it provides an opportunity to examine data from another perspective and can elicit new and interesting research questions. Existing data may also be useful during the planning of new research projects, for example when conducting power analysis and making long-term data collection plans.

Open access to scientific data is also important for young researchers and students and most of our open datasets can be used for planning and working on final assignments and in teaching.

By granting access to previously inaccessible, quality research data, we make better use of scientific data in research, teaching, public policy- and decision-making.

Another argument is that open access to data increases the quality and transparency of science as it allows for a wider evaluation and scrutiny by the scientific community and the general public, thus allowing a greater and more accurate replication and validation of research results. Finally, there are various financial and ethical arguments, which mainly relate to the fact that when public funds are used for collecting data, it should be made available to everyone, not least to make the best use of the funds.