Abstract
Introduction/Objectives: Orthopedic surgery is a critical field, impacting global healthcare expenditure and patient outcomes. Despite substantial research funding, issues of transparency and reproducibility persist, undermining the credibility of published findings. Data-sharing initiatives aim to address these challenges by promoting accessibility and enhancing research reliability. We aimed to assess the landscape of data-sharing practices within orthopedic surgery, focusing on the top orthopedic journals from 2020 to 2023.
Methods: Original research articles from ten of the top orthopedic journals were screened and analyzed for data-sharing statements (DSS). Furthermore, we identified influential variables on the inclusion of DSS in orthopedic clinical-studies; and thematically analyzed their content to identify prevalent themes. Lastly, corresponding authors were contacted to assess their willingness to share their data.
Results: Of the 1,084 articles reviewed, only 14% included DSS. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery demonstrated the highest proportion of articles with DSS. Over time, clinical trials exhibited an increasing trend in DSS adoption contrasting with consistently low rates among cohort studies. Thematic analysis identified gatekeeper role and conditional data availability as predominant themes within orthopedic DSS. Of the emails sent to corresponding authors, only 28 (24.35%) responded; and of those who responded only 12 (42.86%) expressed a willingness to share their data.
Conclusions: Our findings underscore a significant disparity in data-sharing practices across orthopedic journals, highlighting the need for standardization and mandates for DSS. Adopting the Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) Guidelines can enhance accountability and foster a culture of open science within the field. By addressing these shortcomings, orthopedic journals can improve research reproducibility and advance scientific knowledge effectively.
Methods: Original research articles from ten of the top orthopedic journals were screened and analyzed for data-sharing statements (DSS). Furthermore, we identified influential variables on the inclusion of DSS in orthopedic clinical-studies; and thematically analyzed their content to identify prevalent themes. Lastly, corresponding authors were contacted to assess their willingness to share their data.
Results: Of the 1,084 articles reviewed, only 14% included DSS. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery demonstrated the highest proportion of articles with DSS. Over time, clinical trials exhibited an increasing trend in DSS adoption contrasting with consistently low rates among cohort studies. Thematic analysis identified gatekeeper role and conditional data availability as predominant themes within orthopedic DSS. Of the emails sent to corresponding authors, only 28 (24.35%) responded; and of those who responded only 12 (42.86%) expressed a willingness to share their data.
Conclusions: Our findings underscore a significant disparity in data-sharing practices across orthopedic journals, highlighting the need for standardization and mandates for DSS. Adopting the Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) Guidelines can enhance accountability and foster a culture of open science within the field. By addressing these shortcomings, orthopedic journals can improve research reproducibility and advance scientific knowledge effectively.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| State | Published - 14 Feb 2025 |
| Event | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Research Week 2025 - Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, United States Duration: 10 Feb 2025 → 14 Feb 2025 https://medicine.okstate.edu/research/research_days.html |
Conference
| Conference | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Research Week 2025 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Tulsa |
| Period | 10/02/25 → 14/02/25 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- systematic review
- orthopedics
- data sharing