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The Importance of FAIR Principles in Research

FAIR principles enhance data management and collaboration in scientific research.

― 8 min read


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Data plays an essential role in scientific research. However, it can be difficult to find, access, and use this data effectively. This is where the FAIR principles come in. FAIR stands for Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. These principles help make data more useful by ensuring that researchers can easily find and use it.

The FAIR principles are important because they improve the way data is managed and shared among researchers and organizations. By following these guidelines, researchers can work together more efficiently, speed up scientific discoveries, and ensure that their work is transparent and reproducible. Although the importance of FAIR data has been recognized in many research fields, there is still a lack of awareness and understanding about these principles.

The Current State of FAIR Awareness

A recent study found that around 30% of researchers had heard of the FAIR principles, but many did not fully understand what they mean. Additionally, almost 40% of researchers had never even encountered these principles. This gap in knowledge highlights the need for more awareness and education on FAIR data practices.

A significant barrier to understanding FAIR principles is the lack of practical guidance on how to implement them. While researchers understand the basic ideas behind FAIR, they often struggle to apply them to their work. There is a strong need for case studies that demonstrate the benefits of FAIR data in different research areas, as well as clear steps to help researchers put these principles into practice.

The Challenges of Implementing FAIR Principles

To make data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable, researchers must take specific actions, such as publishing data in established repositories, using open-access licenses, and adopting standard formats. However, implementing these principles can vary between different research communities and disciplines. What works well in one area may not be suitable for another, so flexibility is key.

Another challenge is the lack of support and monitoring for adopting FAIR principles. Implementing these guidelines can be time-consuming and complicated, often requiring collaboration among various stakeholders and experts in the field.

Initiatives to Support FAIR Data Practices

To tackle these challenges and promote FAIR data practices, several initiatives have emerged. For example, RDMKit offers Data Management resources on a global scale, while FAIRSharing.org works to identify champions of FAIR data practices. Other organizations like the Pistoia Alliance encourage the adoption of FAIR principles in industry settings. These initiatives aim to help researchers understand and implement FAIR data management.

Funding agencies are increasingly requiring the adoption of FAIR principles in research projects, highlighting the growing importance of these guidelines.

The Importance of FAIR Data in Drug Discovery

In the life sciences, especially drug discovery, the relevance of FAIR data cannot be overstated. The drug discovery process generates vast amounts of data, making it essential to manage and utilize this data effectively. By following FAIR principles, researchers can reduce redundancies, save time, and make better use of their resources.

For example, companies like Roche and AstraZeneca have initiated internal programs to standardize clinical data according to FAIR principles. This helps them develop predictive models for drug discovery more efficiently. Similarly, projects like the Federation of Imaging Data for Life Sciences (FIDL) focus on making biomedical imaging data FAIR-compliant.

Antimicrobial Resistance and FAIR Data Management

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health issue that demands effective data management. Microorganisms are evolving to resist treatment from antimicrobial drugs, posing significant threats to public health. To address this issue, initiatives like the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) have launched projects aimed at developing new antimicrobial drugs.

Developing new drugs is a complicated and lengthy process. As a result, there is an increasing need to adopt FAIR data formats to streamline research and accelerate the development of new treatments. Established standards, like the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources, are being adopted in clinical data analysis.

However, many early-stage research studies still rely on formats specific to individual researchers, which limits the usability of the data. Projects like GNA NOW focus on improving the accessibility and standardization of research data related to AMR, ultimately leading to faster development of new treatments.

The FAIRplus Project and Its Contributions

The FAIRplus project was launched to improve data management and sharing practices in life sciences research. Over three years, the project focused on developing tools and resources that help researchers apply FAIR principles effectively. Some of the key resources created during this project include the FAIR cookbook, a collection of practical guidance for making data FAIR, and the FAIR DataSet Maturity model, which helps assess how well datasets adhere to FAIR principles.

The FAIRification framework developed in this project provides practical steps for researchers to follow when implementing FAIR principles. The framework consists of four phases: goal definition, project examination, iterative FAIRification, and post-FAIRification review.

In the goal definition phase, researchers identify the desired outcomes of their FAIRification efforts. During the project examination phase, researchers assess their current practices and identify areas for improvement. The iterative FAIRification cycle involves assessing current data, designing the necessary changes, and implementing them. Finally, the post-FAIRification review evaluates the success of the efforts.

Developing Lab Data Templates for FAIR Practices

To help researchers implement FAIR principles, the GNA NOW project developed Lab Data Templates, which are standardized formats for collecting experimental data. These templates were designed to ensure consistent data entry and facilitate better collaboration among project partners.

Two separate Lab Data Templates were created: one for in-vitro studies and another for in-vivo studies. These templates help researchers collect and organize data in a way that aligns with FAIR principles, making it easier to share and utilize this data.

Improving Data Standards Through Collaboration

The GNA NOW project recognizes that collaboration among researchers, data managers, and data scientists is crucial for effective data management. By working together, these stakeholders can gather detailed information about experimental procedures and establish tailored FAIR practices.

Standardizing data terminology is an essential part of this process. By mapping terms in the Lab Data Templates to existing biomedical ontologies, researchers can ensure that their data is consistent and easily shared across different platforms.

To facilitate this standardization, the project developed a data dictionary that incorporates both project-specific terms and established ontologies. This approach enhances the interoperability and usability of the data collected from various sources.

Knowledge Graphs for Enhanced Data Integration

The GNA NOW project also implemented a knowledge graph to connect and integrate data from different sources. The knowledge graph serves as a centralized platform that allows researchers to navigate and retrieve data more efficiently.

By combining information from both in-vitro and in-vivo studies, the knowledge graph enables researchers to track compounds and analyze relationships between different experimental results. This comprehensive view of the data allows for better decision-making and a more effective research process.

The Importance of Sustainability in Data Management

Ensuring long-term sustainability of data is critical for ongoing research efforts. In the context of the GNA NOW project, identifying suitable repositories for data storage helps maintain the value of the data beyond the project's lifespan. By using reliable platforms, researchers can ensure that their data remains accessible and usable for future studies.

The Role of Data Managers and Scientists

Data managers and scientists play a vital role in the success of FAIR data practices. Their expertise ensures that data is collected, organized, and shared in a way that aligns with the FAIR principles. By establishing strong collaboration between these stakeholders, organizations can foster a more effective data management culture.

The involvement of data managers in the GNA NOW project was instrumental in developing Lab Data Templates and mapping terms to ontologies. This collaboration helped streamline the data management process and ensured that researchers could focus on their experiments without getting bogged down in technical details.

The Path Forward for FAIR Data Implementation

The journey toward effective implementation of FAIR principles requires ongoing commitment and effort. Researchers need to continue refining their data management practices and adapting to new challenges as they arise. By embracing a culture of collaboration and sharing, the scientific community can make significant strides toward improved data practices.

Efforts to improve awareness of FAIR principles must continue. Sharing successful case studies and promoting training resources will help researchers better understand the importance of FAIR data and equip them with the tools to implement these principles effectively.

Conclusion

FAIR principles are essential for improving data management and collaboration in scientific research. By making data more findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable, researchers can work together more efficiently, accelerate discoveries, and ensure transparency in their work.

The GNA NOW project and the FAIRplus initiative demonstrate how adopting these principles can create a lasting impact in research fields such as drug discovery and antimicrobial resistance. As scientists continue to embrace FAIR data practices, they pave the way for a more sustainable and effective approach to handling research data moving forward.

Original Source

Title: From spreadsheet lab data templates to knowledge graphs: A FAIR data journey in the domain of AMR research

Abstract: While awareness of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles has expanded across diverse domains, there remains a notable absence of impactful narratives regarding the practical application of FAIR data. This gap is particularly evident in the context of in-vitro and in-vivo experimental studies associated with the drug discovery and development process. Despite the structured nature of these data, reliance on classic methods such as spreadsheet-based visualization and analysis has limited the long-term reuse opportunities for such datasets. In response to this challenge, our work presents a representative journey towards FAIR data, characterized by structured, conventional spreadsheet-based lab data templates and the adoption of a knowledge graph framework for breaking data silos in the field of early antimicrobial resistance research. Here, we illustrate a tailored application of a "FAIRification framework" facilitating the practical implementation of FAIR principles. By showcasing the feasibility and benefits of transitioning to FAIR data practices, our work aims to encourage broader adoption and integration of FAIR principles within a research lab setting.

Authors: Yojana Gadiya, T. Abbassi-Daloii, V. Ioannidis, N. Juty, C. Stie Kallesoe, M. Attwood, M. Kohler, P. Gribbon, G. Witt

Last Update: Oct 29, 2024

Language: English

Source URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.18.604030

Source PDF: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.18.604030.full.pdf

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Changes: This summary was created with assistance from AI and may have inaccuracies. For accurate information, please refer to the original source documents linked here.

Thank you to biorxiv for use of its open access interoperability.

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