Data Availability Statement
Where applicable, authors should state whether data are in a public repository, included in the article or supplementary material, available on reasonable request, subject to controlled access, obtained from a third party, or not newly generated. Repository data should be cited appropriately.
Clinical and Sensitive Data
Participant-level data, genomic data, clinical datasets, and protected health information require particular care. Public release is never required where it would violate informed consent, ethics approval, privacy, patient confidentiality, applicable law, contractual obligations, legitimate institutional restrictions, or security considerations.
Repositories, Supplements, and Controlled Access
Non-sensitive data may be deposited in a suitable repository or supplied as supplementary material where appropriate. Restricted data statements should explain whether access is controlled, who can consider a request, and the broad conditions. “Available on reasonable request” should be used only when a workable and ethically permissible request route exists.
Third-party and Proprietary Data
Authors using licensed, proprietary, or third-party data should identify the source and restrictions accurately and provide information that enables readers to understand how lawful access may be sought. Publication does not require authors to breach contracts or rights they do not control.
Accurate and Realistic Access
Authors must not claim availability where data cannot realistically be supplied. Controlled or reasonable-request access should explain relevant conditions without exposing protected information.