Data Archiving Permissions

Transparent data practices that protect patients and support reproducibility.

Journal of Colon and Rectal Cancer supports transparent data practices that enable verification and reuse while protecting patient privacy.

Clear data availability statements improve reproducibility and trust in colorectal cancer research.

Transparent data practices strengthen reproducibility and patient trust.

• Select trusted repositories for clinical datasets
• Provide dataset DOI or accession numbers
• Include a data dictionary and variable definitions
• Document preprocessing and scoring methods
• Describe software or tools required for data use
• Clarify access restrictions for sensitive data
• Describe de-identification procedures
• Provide consent language for data sharing
• Share analysis scripts when possible
• Define data retention and governance plans
• Include metadata for imaging or pathology files
• Provide a contact for data access requests

• De-identify clinical data before sharing
• Describe controlled access for restricted datasets
• Provide consent language for data reuse
• Explain governance for multi-center studies
• Align data sharing with local regulations

JCRC encourages data sharing to improve reproducibility and clinical translation. Data availability statements should describe where data can be accessed and any restrictions required for patient privacy.

• Use established repositories when possible
• Provide accession numbers and persistent links
• Describe data formats and code dependencies
• Note any embargo periods or access approvals

Select repositories that match the data type and regulatory requirements. For example, sequencing data may use GEO or SRA, while protocols and datasets may be hosted on Zenodo or OSF.

• Clinical trial datasets in approved institutional repositories
• Imaging datasets with de identified DICOM files
• Genomics data in GEO, SRA, or dbGaP
• Supplementary tables and code on Zenodo

Patient privacy is essential for colorectal cancer research. De identify datasets and confirm consent for data sharing. If data cannot be shared openly, provide a controlled access pathway.

• Remove direct identifiers and re identification risk
• Document consent language for data reuse
• Provide data access committee contact details
• Describe how imaging data were anonymized

Datasets should be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. Use clear metadata, standard file formats, and documentation to support reuse in colorectal cancer research.

• Provide a README describing variables and formats
• Use standard terminologies and coding systems
• Include versioning and update history

High quality documentation improves transparency. Describe data collection methods, processing steps, and quality checks so other researchers can replicate findings.

Every manuscript should include a data access statement that explains where data are stored, how they can be accessed, and any restrictions. Clear statements improve trust and support reproducibility in colorectal cancer research.

• Provide repository links or accession numbers
• State access conditions for controlled datasets
• Describe any embargo periods or approvals
• List contacts for data access requests

Use these steps to ensure data are reusable and compliant with patient privacy requirements.

• Select a repository appropriate for the data type
• Provide clear documentation and data dictionaries
• Ensure patient identifiers are removed
• Describe any embargo or access controls
• Include code or analysis scripts when possible
• Add accession numbers in the manuscript
• Explain how readers can request access if restricted

When data require restrictions, describe the access pathway clearly.

• Provide a contact for controlled data requests
• Explain approval criteria for access
• Describe timelines for responding to requests
• State whether data use agreements are required

Clear documentation supports reuse and verification.

• Describe variable definitions clearly
• Include processing or cleaning steps