Scientific Data is a new type of journal from Nature Publishing Group. It is an open-access, peer-reviewed, online-only publication for descriptions of scientifically valuable datasets. The journal is intended to help scientists publish, discover, and reuse research data.
Scientific Data’s main article type is the Data Descriptor, which combines traditional narrative content with curated, structured descriptions of research data, including detailed methods and technical analyses supporting data quality. The journal also grants recognition for researchers who may not qualify for authorship on traditional articles.
Scientific Data is open to submissions from a broad range of scientific disciplines, but is focusing initially on datasets from the life, biomedical, and environmental science communities. Authors retain copyright for their Data Descriptor, and may authorize reuse through one of several Creative Commons licenses. Authors are required to pay an article-processing charge.
*Parts of this article were reprinted from the Scientific Data Web site.