Publishers | Preparing and Implementing Policy

The following aspects should be addressed by Publishers in the process of developing and implementing a policy for open access to research data:

Editorial and submission policies on open access. Publishers in collaboration with journal editors should develop editorial and submission policies that assist researchers in complying with the journal’s open data policy.
Open access as default. Publishers and journal editors should consider adopting open access to research data as default. Publishers should accommodate for cases where privacy, sensitivity, confidentiality, security and similar issues are demonstrably of key concern.
Sanctions for non-compliance. Policies should state in an explicit way the publisher’s right to retreat the publication in cases of non-compliance.
Common criteria for data preservation through trusted repositories. Journal editors are encouraged to collaborate with the research community in establishing common criteria and guidelines helping researchers in choosing trusted repositories.
Guidelines for data citation. Publishers in cooperation with editors should provide guidelines for data citation to authors.
Indicators for measuring data impact. Publishers should develop appropriate metrics such as data downloads, use, re-use, citation etc., thus enhancing their recognition as first class scholarly output.
Data sharing. Publishers can play a role in promoting data sharing through prizes or competitions rewarding high-quality data sharing.

The PLOS Mandatory Policy for Open Access to Research Data