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Research data management

fair principles

FAIR principles

What does “FAIR” mean?

The “FAIR” acronym describes the requirements which all research data should meet. These principles are outlined in the publication FAIR guiding principles for scientific data management and stewardship and are an important framework, often referred to by open access policies.

F

Findable

  • (meta)data are assigned a globally unique and persistent identifier
  • data are described with rich metadata
  • metadata clearly and explicitly include the identifier of the data it describes
  • (meta)data are registered or indexed in a searchable resource
A

Accessible

  • (meta)data are retrievable by their identifier using a standardized communications protocol
  • the protocol is open, free, and universally implementable
  • the protocol allows for an authentication and authorization procedure, where necessary
  • metadata are accessible, even when the data are no longer available
I

Interoperable

  • (meta)data use a formal, accessible, shared, and broadly applicable language for knowledge representation
  • (meta)data use vocabularies that follow FAIR principles
  • (meta)data include qualified references to other (meta)data
R

Reusable

  • meta(data) are richly described with a plurality of accurate and relevant attributes
  • (meta)data are released with a clear and accessible data usage license
  • (meta)data are associated with detailed provenance
  • (meta)data meet domain-relevant community standards

Practical tips

How to comply with FAIR principles? Most of the steps described below are related to choosing an appropriate place to store and make the data available, preferably a repository suitable for this purpose. Other steps, however, are entirely up to the authors and those preparing the data for sharing.

F

Data is findable when it is well described, has a persistent identifier and has been published on a searchable service that has its metadata indexed by external search engines and aggregators.

What can be done to make data easier for others to find?

  • Assign a persistent identifier, preferably a DOI (digital object identifier).
  • Add rich metadata, preferably according to the standards of the specific field and discipline.
  • Deposit in an appropriate service, preferably a searchable repository.
A

Data is accessible when humans and devices can access it under clear rules and via standardised, open protocols, or receive information about it, even if the data itself has not been made openly available. This means that data does not have to be open to be FAIR.

What can be done to ensure data availability?

  • Indicate the conditions for access to the data if it is not made openly available.
  • Use widespread and standard technical solutions in making data available, e.g. trusted repositories.
  • In exceptional cases, if data cannot be made available, make metadata available.
I

Interoperability of (meta)data is the ability to link it with other (meta)data, to use it in a variety of computer systems and to analyse it using a wide range of software. The use of standards, e.g. standard and open file formats or metadata standards, is crucial.

What can be done to ensure data interoperability?

  • Make data available in a standard, preferably open format.
  • Use appropriate metadata standards and controlled vocabularies.
  • Identify links to other data or publications.
R

Ensuring that data can be reused is the most important objective of the FAIR principles. It is achieved when data is well and accurately described. This makes it possible to determine the reliability of the data and the appropriateness of its reuse in relation to the intended purposes. The use of free licences is essential.

What can be done to make data reusable?

  • Prepare appropriate documentation and make it available with the data.
  • Use standard free licences that are in machine-readable form, e.g. Creative Commons licences.