Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the current state of data sharing practices in pulmonology research, focusing on data sharing statements (DSS) and identifying barriers to accessing data.
Background: Chronic lower respiratory diseases affect over 34 million Americans and are significant causes of mortality and economic burden. Despite this, pulmonology research receives minimal funding. Data sharing is crucial for improving transparency, reproducibility, and minimizing research waste.
Methods: We searched Journal Citation Reports for top five pulmonology journals. Next, we selected original research articles using MEDLINE (PubMed) published between 2018 and 2023. In a masked duplicate manner, data was extracted on DSS presence, funding sources, study design, and publication year. Hierarchical logistic regression and thematic analysis were used to identify trends within DSS. Data was adjusted for nested data structures and sample sizes.
Results: Our final sample included 1077 articles, with 487 including DSS. Of these, 403 DSS were thematically analyzed. DSS inclusion rates increased from 2018 (19/200; 9.50%) to 2023 (87/134; 64.93%). The Lancet Respiratory Medicine had the highest DSS rate (215/257; 83.66%), while Pulmonology had the lowest (3/33; 9.09%). Clinical trials (416/772; 53.89%) were more likely to include DSS than cohort studies (65/282; 23.05%). Common DSS themes found were “conditional data availability” and “gatekeeper role.”
Conclusion: Data sharing practices in high-impact pulmonology journals are inconsistent, highlighting the need for standardized policies. Although DSS inclusion has improved, many studies still lack DSS, and the quality of DSS varies. Clearer mandates and enforcement are necessary to ensure effective data sharing and advancement in pulmonology research.
Background: Chronic lower respiratory diseases affect over 34 million Americans and are significant causes of mortality and economic burden. Despite this, pulmonology research receives minimal funding. Data sharing is crucial for improving transparency, reproducibility, and minimizing research waste.
Methods: We searched Journal Citation Reports for top five pulmonology journals. Next, we selected original research articles using MEDLINE (PubMed) published between 2018 and 2023. In a masked duplicate manner, data was extracted on DSS presence, funding sources, study design, and publication year. Hierarchical logistic regression and thematic analysis were used to identify trends within DSS. Data was adjusted for nested data structures and sample sizes.
Results: Our final sample included 1077 articles, with 487 including DSS. Of these, 403 DSS were thematically analyzed. DSS inclusion rates increased from 2018 (19/200; 9.50%) to 2023 (87/134; 64.93%). The Lancet Respiratory Medicine had the highest DSS rate (215/257; 83.66%), while Pulmonology had the lowest (3/33; 9.09%). Clinical trials (416/772; 53.89%) were more likely to include DSS than cohort studies (65/282; 23.05%). Common DSS themes found were “conditional data availability” and “gatekeeper role.”
Conclusion: Data sharing practices in high-impact pulmonology journals are inconsistent, highlighting the need for standardized policies. Although DSS inclusion has improved, many studies still lack DSS, and the quality of DSS varies. Clearer mandates and enforcement are necessary to ensure effective data sharing and advancement in pulmonology research.
| 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
- pulmonology
- data sharing
- transparency