White House Requests Input on Data Repositories

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is looking to hear from the public on what characteristics make data repositories useful for managing and sharing data, and psychological scientists should consider submitting their opinions.

OSTP, a group within the US president’s office that advises the president on science and technology, has issued a request for comments on a draft document which identifies desirable characteristics of repositories for managing and sharing data resulting from federally funded research. This short list of draft characteristics addresses such issues as long-term sustainability and security of data storage, opportunity for reuse of data, and also proposes a set of special considerations for repositories that store human data.

According to OSTP, the purpose of this call for comments is to refine and develop a set of characteristics that Federal research and development funding agencies can use to support public access and data sharing.

Given that many psychological scientists are at the forefront of data sharing and working with data repositories, APS encourages interested members to submit a response. Those wishing to comment on this draft set of characteristics should follow the instructions provided by the call for comments. Responses should be submitted by March 6, 2020.

Click here to read the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Request for Public Comment on Draft Desirable Characteristics of Repositories for Managing and Sharing Data Resulting from Federally Funded Research.