Data & Privacy
1. Data Availability Policy
GASF is committed to promoting openness, transparency, and reproducibility in research. Authors are expected to make the data supporting the findings of their study openly available wherever possible. This policy applies to the minimal dataset necessary to support the conclusions of the published work.
1.1 Data Storage and Sharing
Public Repositories
Authors are expected to deposit big data in appropriate, recognized public repositories (e.g., Figshare, GitHub, OSF, Zenodo) and provide persistent identifiers (e.g., DOI) or accession links within the manuscript. Where datasets are small, they may be included as supplementary material.
Data Availability Statement
All submissions must include a“Data Availability Statement” at the end of the manuscript, specifying where the data supporting the findings of the study can be accessed and under what conditions. Where data cannot be shared, authors must clearly state the reasons.
| Data availability status | Recommended templates |
|---|---|
Data available in a public repository | The data that support the findings of this study are available in [repository name] at [DOI/URL], reference number [ID]. |
Data available upon reasonable request | The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Restrictions apply due to [reason, e.g., privacy or ethical considerations]. |
Third-party data | The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Restrictions apply due to [reason, e.g., privacy or ethical considerations]. |
Embargoed data | The data that support the findings of this study will be available in [repository name] at [DOI/URL] following an embargo period ending on [date], to allow for commercialization or other justified purposes. |
Public domain data | The data that support the findings of this study will be available in [repository name] at [DOI/URL] following an embargo period ending on [date], to allow for commercialization or other justified purposes. |
No new data created or analyzed | No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article. |
Data included in the article or supplementary material | All data supporting the findings of this study are included within the article and its supplementary information files. |
Data available from the authors | The data that support the findings of this study are available from the authors upon reasonable request. |
1.2 Data Citation
The Publisher supports the FORCE11 principles of data citation and encourages authors to cite datasets in the reference list in accordance with best practices. Data citations should include all necessary elements to ensure accessibility and reproducibility.
Recommended format:
[Dataset] Author(s). Year. Title. Repository Name. Version (if applicable). Persistent identifier (e.g., DOI).Datasets should be cited in the text where appropriate and included in the reference list as formal citations.
1.3 Research Resource Identifiers (RRIDs)
To enhance transparency and reproducibility, authors are encouraged to include Research Resource Identifiers (RRIDs) for key research materials (e.g., antibodies, cell lines, model organisms, software tools) in the Methods section. RRIDs can be obtained via the SciCrunch Resource Identification Portal (https://rrid.site/).
Examples:
Antibody: antibody against ERK1 (Abgent Cat# AP7251E, RRID:AB_2140114)
Cell line: RRID:CVCL_1H60
Organism: Fgf9Eks/Fgf9+ mice (RRID:MGI_3840442)
Software: Neurolucida (v10, RRID:SCR_001775)
2. Data Preservation and Archiving
To ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of scholarly content, all published articles are archived in internationally recognized digital preservation systems.
Archiving: Articles are preserved in trusted digital archives such as Portico and LOCKSS to ensure permanent accessibility.
Retention of submission records: The Publisher retains submission files, supplementary materials, and peer review correspondence in accordance with internal policies and applicable regulations. For rejected manuscripts, submitted files may be deleted upon reasonable request by the authors.
3. Privacy Policy
The Publisher is committed to protecting personal data and ensuring that it is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.
3.1 Data Collection and Use
Data minimization: Only personal data necessary for the editorial and publishing process are collected, including names, email addresses, affiliations, and ORCID iDs.
Purpose limitation: Personal data are used solely for manuscript handling, peer review, editorial communication, production, and indexing. Personal data will not be used for unauthorized marketing purposes.
3.2 Data Security
Secure Transmission
Manuscripts submitted by authors, personal identification data, and copyright-related documentation are transmitted using end-to-end TLS/SSL encryption, ensuring protection against unauthorized access, interception, and tampering throughout the transmission process.
Secure Storage
Manuscripts and personal data are stored in encrypted cloud-based systems with a distributed security architecture and multiple backup and disaster recovery mechanisms, ensuring data durability and preventing loss, leakage, or unauthorized disclosure.
Access Control and Compliance
Strict role-based access control mechanisms are implemented, supported by comprehensive audit logging and monitoring. The Publisher upholds strict confidentiality obligations with respect to authors’ intellectual property and personal data, ensuring the protection of original content and copyright interests, including in cross-border data processing contexts.
3.3 Data Subject Rights
In accordance with applicable data protection laws (including the General Data Protection Regulation, where applicable), individuals have the right to:
● Access, correct, or request deletion of their personal data
● Restrict or object to processing
● Request data portability
● Withdraw consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal
Requests to exercise these rights may be submitted to the relevant editorial office and will be processed within 30 working days in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.
3.4 Third-Party Data Sharing
The Publisher does not sell personal data or use it for third-party marketing.
Personal data may be shared with trusted service providers only where necessary for publication-related processes (e.g., DOI registration, indexing services), and always under appropriate data protection agreements.
4. Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
All published articles are assigned a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) through Crossref to ensure persistent identification, discoverability, and citation.