Solutions for archiving data in long-term studies: a reply to Whitlock et al.

Abstract

In our recent paper we discussed some potential undesirable consequences of public data archiving (PDA) with specific reference to long-term studies and proposed solutions to manage these issues. We reaffirm our commitment to data sharing and collaboration, both of which have been common and fruitful practices supported for many decades by researchers involved in long-term studies. We acknowledge the potential benefits of PDA , but believe that several potential negative consequences for science have been underestimated . The objective of our recent paper was to define practices to simultaneously maximize the benefits and minimize the potential unwanted consequences of PDA.