Research data

What are the FAIR Data Principles?

The FAIR Data Principles are a set of guidelines designed to improve the management, sharing, and reuse of research data. FAIR stands for:

• Findable – Data should be easy to locate for both humans and machines. This includes using persistent identifiers (like DOIs) and rich metadata.
• Accessible – Once found, data should be retrievable using standard protocols, with clear conditions for access (open or restricted).
• Interoperable – Data should be compatible with other datasets and tools, using standard formats, vocabularies, and ontologies.
• Reusable – Data should be well-described and licensed so it can be used in future research, ideally beyond the original purpose.

FAIR doesn’t necessarily mean “open” — it means data is well-managed and ready to be used responsibly and effectively.

Developed by the international research community, these principles aim to:

• support knowledge discovery and innovation both by humans and machines
• facilitate data and knowledge integration
• enable new discoveries through the analysis of multiple datasets 
• promote the sharing and reuse of data
• apply across multiple disciplines, including those with sensitive data
• strive for machine-readable data and metadata.

The FAIR Principles provide guidelines to improve the findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability of digital assets. Note that applying these principles varies by discipline.

CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance

Emphasise the importance of Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics. Unlike traditional data governance models that focus primarily on open access and individual privacy (like the FAIR principles), CARE centers Indigenous rights and interests in data processes.

• Collective Benefit: Data should be used in ways that support the well-being of Indigenous communities.

• Authority to Control: Indigenous Peoples have the right to govern the collection, access, and use of data about them.

• Responsibility: Those handling Indigenous data must act with accountability and respect for Indigenous worldviews and values.

• Ethics: Data use must align with Indigenous ethical frameworks, ensuring cultural sensitivity and justice.

These principles are vital for ensuring that data practices do not perpetuate colonial harms but instead empower Indigenous communities through respectful and equitable data stewardship.

Open Data Charter Principles

A set of six principles that will be the foundation for access to data and for the release and use of data. These principles mandate that data should be:

1. Open by Default
2. Timely and Comprehensive
3. Accessible and Usable
4. Comparable and Interoperable
5. For Improved Governance and Citizen
6. For Inclusive Development and Innovation