A data paper (also known as "data note", "database article", etc.) is a scholarly article centered around a dataset.
While a traditional research paper introduces the result of a specific investigation and the conclusions based on it, the goal of a data paper is to introduce to the public and describe one or several datasets collected during an investigation. A data paper states the aim for collecting the data, explains the collection method and the nature of the data, gives guidance for interpreting and using the data and provides a link to the datasets. Sometimes, the datasets are published in the same journal along with the data article; however, it is more common for them to be located in a source external to the journal, for example, a data repository. Data papers undergo peer review, same as traditional research papers.
Data papers are accepted by some traditional journals (e.g. Human Genomics) but a big part of them are published in a special type of journals, known as data journals.
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If you have any questions, please contact the VU Library’s Scientific Information and Data Division via the Open Science Consultation Portal.
The Scientific Information and Data Division also offers training events on topics related to Open Science and research data management. Please contact the Head of Scientific Information and Data Division Gitana Naudužienė if you would like to request a training activity in English (a group of 5 or more attendees is required).