The challenge of sharing open research data: a qualitative study on the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of research and/or clinical staff on cancer stem cells in Spain

e202601005

Abstract

BACKGROUND // The identification of cancer stem cells (CSCs), involved in therapy resistance, tumor progression, and metastasis, has led to exponential growth in cancer research. The aim of this study was to analyze the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of Spanish research and clinical staff working on CSC regarding the sharing of research data.

METHODS // Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample consisting of the key actors in CSC research in Spain, based on three variables: type of research (basic, clinical, translational), research experience (junior with less than ten years of experience, and senior with more than ten years), and type of workplace (public and private). The analysis procedure used was based on Grounded Theory. Following a criterion of theoretical saturation, the final sample included sixteen interviewees.

RESULTS // The interviewees reported having limited knowledge and identified a lack of available training on these topics. They agreed that the obligation to publish raw research data in journals would eventually create a habit, provided certain challenges, such as the cost of Article Processing Charges (APCs), are addressed. They valued making raw data available to other teams positively, although they identified significant competitiveness in the scientific field, leading to some reluctance to share.

CONCLUSIONS // The study on data sharing in CSC reveals that knowledge is limited, and beliefs highlight some perceived threats, although attitudes toward sharing research data are generally positive.