Researchers’ Willingness and Ability to Openly Share Their Research Data: A Survey of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Factors

Abstract

While previous studies show that the drivers and inhibitors for openly sharing research data are diverse and complex, there is a lack of studies empirically examining the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on researchers’ open data sharing behavior. Using a questionnaire ( n = 135), this study investigates the influence of COVID-19 pandemic-related factors on researchers’ willingness and ability to openly share their research data. Fifty-one respondents (37.8%) stated that factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic increased their willingness and ability to openly share their research data, while 80 (59.3%) reported that various pandemic-related factors did not influence their willingness and ability in this way. As one of the possible influencing factors, this study finds a significant association between the COVID-19-relatedness of researchers’ research discipline and whether or not the COVID-19 pandemic led to a change in their willingness and ability to share their research data openly: χ2 (1) = 5.77, p < .05. Social influences on open data sharing behavior, institutional support for open data sharing, and the fear of potential negative consequences of open data sharing were nearly similar for the respondents who were and were not involved in COVID-19-related research. This study contributes scientifically by going beyond conceptual studies as it provides empirical insights concerning the influence of COVID-19 pandemic-related factors on researchers’ willingness and ability to openly share their data. As a practical contribution, this study discusses recommendations that policymakers can use to sustainably support open research data sharing in post-COVID-19 times.