Data Policy

 

Data Availability and Research Transparency Policy

 

The Journal of Islamic Studies, Prince of Songkla University (JOIS), is committed to promoting transparency, reproducibility, and accountability in scholarly research. The availability of underlying research data is essential to validating findings, enabling scholarly scrutiny, and supporting the advancement of knowledge.

This policy establishes expectations regarding the management, accessibility, and disclosure of research data associated with published works.

1 Purpose and Principles

The purpose of this policy is to

  • Strengthen the credibility and reliability of published research
  • Enable verification and replication of findings
  • Promote responsible data stewardship
  • Support scholarly collaboration and reuse of research outputs

JOIS encourages responsible data sharing while respecting ethical, legal, and confidentiality obligations.

2 Scope of Research Data

Research data refers to all materials necessary to understand, evaluate, replicate, or build upon the findings of a study. This may include, but is not limited to

  • Raw datasets
  • Processed data files
  • Survey instruments and questionnaires
  • Interview transcripts
  • Field notes and observational records
  • Statistical outputs
  • Coding frameworks
  • Analytical scripts or software code
  • Methodological documentation
  • Supplementary figures and tables

Both qualitative and quantitative datasets fall within the scope of this policy.

3 Author Responsibilities

Authors are expected to manage research data responsibly throughout the research lifecycle. Authors should

  • Maintain accurate and complete data records
  • Ensure data integrity and authenticity
  • Retain data for a reasonable period after publication
  • Be prepared to provide supporting data upon editorial request
  • Ensure that data sharing complies with ethical approvals and legal frameworks

Authors bear responsibility for the accuracy and availability of the data underpinning their published work.

4 Data Accessibility and Sharing

JOIS encourages authors to make research data accessible wherever feasible. Recommended practices include

  • Depositing datasets in recognized public repositories
  • Providing institutional repository access
  • Submitting supplementary materials alongside manuscripts
  • Sharing persistent identifiers or access links
  • Providing metadata descriptions to facilitate reuse

Data sharing enhances research transparency and fosters cumulative knowledge development.

5 Data Availability Statements

Where appropriate, authors are encouraged to include a Data Availability Statement within their manuscript. Such statements may clarify

  • Where the data are stored
  • How the data can be accessed
  • Conditions for access
  • Reasons for any restrictions

6 Ethical and Legal Constraints

JOIS recognizes that not all data can be openly shared. Legitimate restrictions may arise due to

  • Personal or sensitive information
  • Religious or cultural confidentiality
  • Legal or regulatory limitations
  • Institutional data ownership
  • Third-party licensing agreements

In such cases, authors must clearly disclose the nature of the restriction and provide justification at the time of submission.

Where partial sharing is possible, authors are encouraged to provide anonymized or aggregated data.

7 Editorial Review of Data

The editorial office may request access to underlying data during peer review or post-publication assessment where concerns arise regarding

  • Research validity
  • Data interpretation
  • Methodological transparency
  • Ethical compliance

Failure to provide supporting data when reasonably requested may influence editorial decisions.

8 Post-Publication Data Concerns

If questions arise after publication regarding the reliability or authenticity of data, the journal may initiate an investigation in accordance with publication ethics procedures. Outcomes may include

  • Publication of clarifications
  • Issuance of expressions of concern
  • Corrections or retractions where warranted

9 Relationship to Research Ethics and Integrity

This policy operates within the broader framework of research ethics, publication integrity, and responsible scholarly communication.

Data transparency is interconnected with policies concerning plagiarism, authorship accountability, peer review ethics, and post-publication corrections.

10 Commitment to Responsible Data Stewardship

JOIS affirms that responsible data management is a shared obligation among authors, editors, and the scholarly community.

The journal supports practices that enhance the openness, verifiability, and long-term value of academic research while balancing ethical and legal responsibilities.