Openness in sharing research results is a powerful scientific ideal. Yet, a number of influences currently work against its fulfillment in life science research.
The specific aims of this study are to: confirm and extend previous work on the prevalence and nature of data sharing and withholding in academic genetics and its subfields; investigate the factors associated with data sharing and withholding in academic genetics and its subfields; and investigate the effects of university and governmental policies on data sharing and withholding in academic genetics and its subfields. The investigative team has extensive previous experience in related investigations of academic-industry relationships and data withholding in academic biomedicine. Qualitative data collection will consist of focus groups and personal interviews with genetics faculty and technology transfer officers designed to refine definitions of key terms, develop new measures of data sharing and withholding, and refine key hypotheses. Quantitative data collection will involve surveys of 3000 life science faculty chosen to overrepresent genetics, particularly human genetics, and a survey of technology transfer officers from 100 leading research universities. The faculty survey will explore the prevalence, nature, timing and correlates of data sharing/withholding behaviors and the effects of federal and university policies on data sharing and withholding. The survey of technology transfer officials will provide information about university policies and practices that promote or inhibit sharing. Hypotheses concerning the prevalence, nature, influences on and effects of policies on data sharing and withholding will be tested using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. Results will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific meetings.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HG001789-01
Application #
2618278
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG2-GNM (01))
Project Start
1998-08-01
Project End
2000-07-31
Budget Start
1998-08-01
Budget End
1999-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02199
Zinner, Darren E; Pham-Kanter, Genevieve; Campbell, Eric G (2016) The Changing Nature of Scientific Sharing and Withholding in Academic Life Sciences Research: Trends From National Surveys in 2000 and 2013. Acad Med 91:433-40
Campbell, Eric G; Clarridge, Brian R; Gokhale, Manjusha et al. (2002) Data withholding in academic genetics: evidence from a national survey. JAMA 287:473-80