Why Data Archiving Matters

Data sharing improves confidence in results and supports future investigations in hormone biology. It enables validation, meta analyses, and clinical translation.

JEH requests a data availability statement for all manuscripts and encourages deposition in trusted repositories when appropriate.

Recommended Repositories

Use established repositories that provide stable links, version control, and long term access.

• Dryad, Zenodo, Figshare, or OSF
• Institutional repositories with persistent identifiers
• Clinical data repositories that support controlled access

Human Data and Privacy

For clinical endocrine datasets, protect patient identity and comply with data protection laws. Where open release is not possible, use controlled access or provide contact procedures.

• De identify data where feasible
• Describe access restrictions and oversight
• Provide data use agreements when required

Data Availability Statements

All submissions must include a data availability statement that specifies where data can be found or why access is restricted.

• Include repository name and persistent link
• Describe embargo periods if applicable
• Note any ethical or legal limitations

Code and Analytical Scripts

If algorithms or analysis pipelines are essential to the results, provide access to code or explain the limitations. Clear documentation improves reproducibility and reviewer confidence.

FAIR Principles

JEH encourages data that is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. Authors should provide metadata that describes variables, methods, and usage limitations.

Supplementary Files

Large tables or extended protocols may be provided as supplementary files when repository deposition is not feasible. Ensure the files are clearly labeled and referenced.

Data Citations

If datasets are deposited, cite them in the references or data availability statement. Data citations improve credit and traceability.

Embargoes

If data must remain private for a defined period, describe the embargo timeline and when release is expected. Provide contact details or repository notes for future access.

Clinical Trial Data

Clinical trial data may require controlled access. Describe the governance model, eligibility criteria, and any review committees that manage access requests.

Data Documentation

Include data dictionaries, codebooks, and variable definitions. Clear documentation helps readers interpret hormone assays, imaging metrics, and clinical variables accurately.

Sensitive Data Exceptions

When legal or ethical restrictions prevent sharing, provide a statement explaining the limits and describe alternative access paths such as secure environments or summary data.

Reanalysis Support

JEH encourages authors to provide analysis scripts or workflows where feasible. This supports reanalysis and improves trust in endocrine research findings.

File Formats

Use non proprietary formats when possible, such as CSV or TXT for data tables and PDF for documentation. Standard formats make endocrine datasets easier to reuse across systems.

Pediatric and Vulnerable Populations

For pediatric or vulnerable populations, ensure that data sharing plans respect consent limitations and privacy protections. Explain any additional safeguards in the statement.

Repository Links

Provide stable links and version numbers for datasets and code. If updates are expected, describe how versions will be maintained and cited. Use persistent identifiers to avoid broken links over time. This supports future meta analyses and long term review.

Metadata Quality

Include clear variable descriptions, assay methods, and units for endocrine biomarkers. Metadata helps secondary users interpret hormone measurements accurately. Clear metadata also improves indexing and reuse.

Laboratory Assays

For hormone assays, provide calibration details and reference ranges. If assay data cannot be shared openly, describe access restrictions and provide aggregated summaries. Specify assay platforms to aid replication and comparison. Include quality control procedures and reference standards when available.