Microbial Genomics, Open Data and Figshare

Microbial Genomics (MGen), the Society for General Microbiology’s first journal with an open data policy, is pleased to report a partnership with Figshare, to support authors with publishing their supporting data. Microbial Genomics publishes articles that use genomic approaches to further our understanding of microbiology, from clinically important pathogens to microbial life in diverse ecosystems.

Authors submitting articles to MGen are required to archive any supporting data, protocols, software and/or programmes that have led to the conclusions drawn in the paper, which will be peer reviewed alongside the paper for relevance. MGen’s Editorial Board felt that stipulating a mandatory open data policy reflects the journal’s mission to support the discoverability and accessibility of data.

Parita Patel, Product Manager at the Society says:

‘Data sharing encourages a collaborative approach through the visibility, transparency and reuse of research data to advance microbiology in the same way that the open access movement has. Additionally, there is growing pressure on researchers to make underlying data freely and easily accessible, and with the emergence of open data mandates from funders, institutions and governments, a journal policy that makes this simple gives authors one less thing to worry about’.

Traditionally, supplementary material is published in PDF format, which limits the reuse of such content. By partnering with Figshare, MGen is able to publish supporting data in a more visible, accessible and discoverable way. By submitting this data through the journal, they can ensure that the published content on Figshare is linked back to the original paper, and vice versa. Additionally, all data submitted and accepted to the journal will display in the society portal on Figshare – http://sgm.figshare.com.

Founder of Figshare Mark Hahnel adds:

“We are delighted that The Society for General Microbiology have chosen Figshare to offer an enhanced data service to their authors and readers. Society publishers play a key role in the dissemination of academic content and MGen’s open data policy puts them at the forefront of one of the most important movements in academia. We wholly support their move to open data and hope to see more and more publishers following suit.”