Data and Reproducibility

1. Introduction

IJASCE upholds the principles of transparency, integrity, and reproducibility in research. This policy outlines the journal’s expectations regarding data availability, documentation, and reproducibility of research findings. It aligns with the COPE Core Practices, WAME ethics recommendations, and evolving norms for open science and data sharing.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all manuscripts submitted to IJASCE that involve original data collection, experimental procedures, computational models, or algorithm development. It includes empirical studies, simulations, and software-based experiments.

3. Policy Statement and Guidelines

Reproducibility is central to scientific credibility. Authors are expected to:

  • Provide access to underlying data and materials that support their findings.

  • Clearly describe the methods, tools, and software used.

  • Follow recognized standards for documentation and transparency in their discipline.

3.1 Data Availability

Authors must include a Data Availability Statement in their manuscript. This should specify:

  • Whether data are publicly available and where they can be accessed (e.g., institutional repository, open data archive).

  • Any restrictions due to confidentiality, legal, or ethical concerns.

  • If data are available upon reasonable request.

For computational work, authors are encouraged to share:

  • Input datasets

  • Code and scripts

  • Model parameters and simulation configurations

Repositories such as Zenodo, Figshare, GitHub (with Zenodo DOI linkage), or institutional repositories are acceptable platforms.

3.2 Documentation and Standards

Authors should provide sufficient detail in their methods and supplementary materials to allow others to replicate their work. This includes:

  • Algorithm descriptions and pseudocode

  • Software versions and platforms

  • Parameter settings

  • Statistical analysis methods

Where applicable, authors should adhere to relevant community standards and reporting guidelines (e.g., PRISMA for systematic reviews, ARRIVE for animal studies).

3.3 Reproducibility of Computational Studies

Authors of computational and simulation-based studies should:

  • Describe the architecture and runtime environment (e.g., hardware, OS, libraries).

  • Make code available under a recognized open-source license if possible.

  • Include test datasets or validation scenarios.

IJASCE encourages the use of containerization tools (e.g., Docker) or virtual environments to support reproducibility.

4. Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring their data and methods are accurate, well-documented, and reproducible.
Editors and reviewers evaluate whether sufficient methodological detail and transparency are provided to assess reproducibility.
Readers are encouraged to contact authors for data or code access when statements permit.

5. Process for Handling Breaches

Failure to provide data as described in the Data Availability Statement or misleading representation of methods may result in:

  • Revisions before publication

  • Editorial expression of concern

  • Retraction in cases of serious noncompliance or fraud

These actions will be guided by COPE protocols and editorial discretion.

6. Related Policies and References

  • COPE Guidelines on Data and Reproducibility

  • WAME Recommendations on Study Design and Ethics

  • IJASCE’s Ethical Oversight Policy

  • FAIR Data Principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)

7. Review and Updates

This policy was last reviewed in August 2025 and will be updated annually or as new best practices for data sharing and reproducibility evolve.