Open Science

4. FAIR Principles

Transparent research data management, together with the earliest possible sharing of data, is crucial for the credibility of science and ensuring valuable databases for future research. Data must be managed in accordance with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).

FAIR principles imply:

• Ensuring access to documentation, such as protocols, instruments, and software code, necessary for understanding the data.
• Creating standardised metadata descriptions.
• Assigning persistent identifiers.
• Using open licenses whenever possible.

Even when open licenses cannot be applied, data can still adhere to FAIR principles if access is restricted only to the extent necessary, for example, to protect research participants.

The following document is available in Croatian only. Participants may use free AI-powered translation tools to access the provided materials.

It is recommended that higher education institutions provide support to researchers in data management throughout the entire project. Researchers should store their data in trustworthy disciplinary or thematic repositories, and if such are not available, in institutional repositories. Preference should be given to repositories that are part of the national infrastructure. If licences allow, storing data in multiple repositories is recommended. You can read more at the following link.

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