If so, Scientific Data can help. It’s a new type of open access journal publishing a new type of content, the Data Descriptor, designed to provide detailed descriptions of datasets: focusing on how these have been produced, by whom, and how they could be reused. We aim to make your data more discoverable, interpretable and reusable. We are calling for submissions now and launching in May next year.
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We are in the process of developing Scientific Data’s PDF design, and we want to know your opinion. Take a look at these two PDF versions of the sample Data Descriptor prepared by Javier Munoz and Albert Heck, entitled “Proteomic profiles of human embryonic stem cells, induced-pluripotent stem cells and precursor fibroblasts.” Tell us which you prefer using the survey below.
| Download Layout 1 | A traditional double column layout that is designed to be easy to read, especially in print. |
| Download Layout 2 | A single column layout, which may be easier to read on tablets and small screens, and includes a space on the left of each page for notes. |
We recently released two sample Data Descriptors to help prospective authors interested in submitting manuscripts to Scientific Data. These samples were created to help scientists understand our unique scope and formatting requirements, and to illustrate the value of detailed descriptions of valuable datasets. Over the coming weeks we will be releasing more detailed information for authors, including Data Descriptor templates, to help prepare scientists for our call for submissions at the end of September.
Sample 1: Proteomic profiles of human embryonic stem cells, induced-pluripotent stem cells and precursor fibroblasts, prepared by Javier Munoz and Albert J.R. Heck
Sample 2: Sequencing of genomes, transcriptomes and methylomes of wild Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, prepared Robert J. Schmitz, Matthew D. Schultz & Joseph R. Ecker
See this page to view the full sample articles and to download experimental metadata
Back in July we announced the names of our first Editorial Board Members, and during the last month we have expanded our representation to include the fields of climate science, oceanography, ecology, and geoscience. Today we are delighted to announce the names of the first scientists from these fields to join our board.
Today we released Scientific Data’s detailed data deposition policies. If you are interested in submitting a Data Descriptor manuscript to Scientific Data, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with these policies. 
These are meant to be progressive policies that will support useful data sharing and reuse, while also strongly promoting existing community data repositories. You can read more about our goals in this regard in our related blog post.
Authors should be aware that these data deposition policies are more stringent than at most other research journals. In particular, authors will be required to deposit their data in an approved data repository before Scientific Data will consider sending a Data Descriptor out for peer-review. Data may be kept private until publication, but authors must provide editors and referees with access to the data in a confidential and secure manner. Submission, curation, and assignment of an accession number can take a matter of weeks at some data repositories, so we encourage authors to think about data submission early in the process of drafting a Data Descriptor.
Today, we added detailed “Guide to referees” and “Editorial and publishing policies” pages to Scientific Data’s website.
The “Guide to referees” builds on our earlier blog post introducing our referee questionnaire, and includes more detailed information on our criteria for publication and peer-review process.
Our “Editorial and publishing policies” introduce some important features that set Scientific Data apart as a new kind of data-focused publication:
Today we are pleased to announce the names of the first scientists to join Scientific Data’s Editorial Board. We are delighted to be working with these distinguished scientists. This list will continue to grow as we lead up to our Call for Submissions later this year.
