Although open sharing of the results of research is an underlying principle of modern science, the reality is that researchers sometimes withhold the results of their work either by delaying publication in scientific journals or by refusing requests from other researchers for access to data or materials. In the February 2000 issue of Research Policy, researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute for Health Policy and Harvard Medical School report a survey of scientists around the country on the topic of data withholding. They found that those most likely to be victims of data withholding were scientists who were just starting out in the profession, those who were highly productive, or those involved with commercial activities. In addition, scientists who had a history of denying their own data to others were more likely to have their requests for information refused.
Of 2,366 scientists at 117 U.S. medical schools who responded to the 1996 survey, 12.5 percent reported they had been denied access to other investigators' data within the past three years. Among junior faculty members, 13.5 percent had been denied access, compared with 5.1 percent of the most senior researchers. Of the most highly productive researchers - those publishing more than 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals in the previous three years - 29 percent reported denial of access compared with only 7.7 percent of those who had published one to five articles. In addition, 30 percent of those whose university-related research resulted in a patent application reported being denied access, compared with only 9.4 percent of those with no patent applications.
The authors suggest that these productive researchers may be seen as either a competitive threat to those denying data or as more likely to use data for commercial rather than academic purposes. However, they note, this pattern of withholding should be of concern to the overall scientific community.
"It is hard enough trying to launch a research career without facing the added burden of limited access to resources that should be commonly available," says Joel S. Weissman, PhD, a study author.
Adds Eric G. Campbell, PhD, the study's lead author, "These findings are contrary to one of the fundamental tenets of the biomedical research enterprise, which is to direct resources towards those who can best use them in the fight against disease. It is possible that selectively withholding research results from the most productive and commercially active researchers could slow progress towards understanding the causes and cures of human disease."
The researchers also note that a tit-for-tat attitude often prevails: those scientists who reported refusing to share their own data with others were more than twice as likely to be victims of data withholding than those who did not report refusing others' requests. "It may be that researchers who often refuse to share data earn a reputation as a 'withholder,' which could encourage other to withhold results from them," says David Blumenthal, MD, MPP, director of the MGH Institute for Health Policy and the study's senior author.
To encourage the free exchange of research information and materials, the authors suggest the following guidelines for individuals and institutions:
- To the fullest extent possible, academic researchers should share their results freely among the academic community.
- As part of their role as mentors, senior faculty may need to assist junior faculty in gaining access to research results and materials of other scientists.
- Professional associations and funding agencies should pass policies and resolutions that encourage sharing and limit data withholding.
Nancyanne Causino, EdD, was an additional coauthor of the study. The research was supported by grants from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Commonwealth Fund.
Journal
Research Policy