Data Sharing and Data Paper—What Is Data Paper, Why Is It Necessary, and What Is Required—

Abstract

Journal of Proteome Data and Methods (JPDM) publishes data papers, but many researchers find it difficult to understand the difference between data papers and regular research papers and their purpose. This paper thus discusses three topics: (1) a summary of how data publication became mandatory, (2) what the purpose and contents of a data paper should be, and (3) specific points to keep in mind when writing a data paper for JPDM. The first topic focuses on the Human Genome Project and other large-scale research projects and the evolution of data publication guidelines, rather than technical aspects such as the spread of the Internet. In the next subject, examples of data reuse and how other data journals are positioning their data papers will be presented. The last subject will be based on reviewers’ comments on papers actually submitted to JPDM, citing specific sections.