Research Data Policy

UNZA JABS Research Data Policy

The University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences (UNZA JABS) supports open and transparent science. Authors are encouraged to share research data that substantiate the results presented in their manuscripts and contribute to the reproducibility and integrity of published research. This aligns with the principle: “as open as possible, as closed as necessary.”

1. Scope of Data Sharing

UNZA JABS encourages authors to make accessible:

  • Raw or processed datasets
  • Software tools, source code, or scripts
  • High-resolution images, maps, graphs, or videos
  • Large appendices or supplementary materials
  • Field or laboratory records essential for result validation

Where possible, these should be deposited in trusted open access repositories, and cited appropriately in the manuscript.

2. Data Availability Statement (Required)

All submissions must include a Data Availability Statement that clearly specifies:

  • Where the data is stored (e.g., repository name and persistent link)
  • How the data can be accessed (e.g., openly available, upon request, or restricted)
  • Any restrictions, such as ethical, legal, or confidentiality limitations

If data access is restricted, authors must explain:

  • The nature of the restriction (e.g., sensitive human subjects data)
  • Guidance from the relevant Institutional Review Board (IRB) or ethics committee
  • Procedures through which access may be requested (e.g., data use agreements)

3. Ethical and Legal Compliance

  • Authors must ensure compliance with all applicable institutional, national, and international data-sharing laws and ethical standards.
  • Sensitive information (e.g., patient data, indigenous knowledge, endangered species locations) must be anonymized or appropriately redacted.
  • Data sharing must respect informed consent agreements, intellectual property rights, and local cultural protocols, especially for research conducted in African communities.

4. Recommended Repositories

UNZA JABS encourages the use of recognized data repositories, including:

  • General repositories: Zenodo, Dryad, Figshare
  • Domain-specific repositories: GenBank (genetics), ICPSR (social science), GBIF (biodiversity), Agritrop (agricultural science)
  • Institutional repositories: including the University of Zambia Research Repository (DSPACE)

5. Reviewer and Editorial Access

  • During peer review, authors may be required to provide private or restricted access to relevant data to support independent verification of results.
  • Reviewers will be instructed to maintain confidentiality and will not be permitted to reuse data prior to publication.

6. Post-Publication Expectations

  • Authors are strongly encouraged to ensure long-term preservation and access to datasets.
  • Publicly shared data must be properly cited using a formal reference and a persistent identifier (e.g., DOI).
  • Authors who fail to comply with data-sharing guidelines may face:
    • Delays in publication
    • Rejection of the manuscript
    • Corrections or expressions of concern post-publication if data integrity is compromised