3 ms·

Scientists generally do not keep data secret. They try to publish as much as they can actually! Publish != tell the media. Publish != share raw data.

by gmac 15y ago

beloch 15y ago
When we publish papers, we usually include sample raw data as part of an online supplement or appendix whenever the journal permits it (most people never look at these). Not all journals do permit this, and storage constraints sometimes make it difficult to provide a worthwhile sample anyways. We do supply raw data to anyone who asks for it. If that counts as keeping our data secret, then so be it. I have yet to find encounter a group in my field that refused to share raw data when asked for it. They're usually happy to have another set of eyes look for a meaning they didn't publish (This could lead to another paper they might not have to work very hard for!). Again, is it really secret if all you have to do is ask for it? Corresponding author email addresses are on papers for a reason! I will say that it is unusual for a group of scientists as prominent as the ones at CERN are to go to the media before publishing, but they are clearly very unsure of their results and would rather have a lot of eyes looking for bugs before they commit to publishing their results. This, of course, won't accomplish much if they try to keep secrets, as you are suggesting. In fact, here's a challenge for you. Go ask CERN for their FTL neutrino data. I bet they'll be happy to give you a copy. They'll probably even have a grad-student to spare to explain some of it to you, although his or her time will probably be at a premium for the next few weeks!
- gmac 15y ago
  That's a fair point, and my comment was a bit lazy. All I wanted to say was that publishing findings, publicising findings, and sharing the raw data aren't exactly the same thing and don't necessarily go together.

Scientists generally do not keep data secret. They try to publish as much as they can actually! Publish != tell the media. Publish != share raw data.

by gmac 15y ago

Scientists generally do not keep data secret. They try to publish as much as they can actually! Publish != tell the media. Publish != share raw data.

beloch 15y ago

When we publish papers, we usually include sample raw data as part of an online supplement or appendix whenever the journal permits it (most people never look at these). Not all journals do permit this, and storage constraints sometimes make it difficult to provide a worthwhile sample anyways. We do supply raw data to anyone who asks for it. If that counts as keeping our data secret, then so be it. I have yet to find encounter a group in my field that refused to share raw data when asked for it. They're usually happy to have another set of eyes look for a meaning they didn't publish (This could lead to another paper they might not have to work very hard for!). Again, is it really secret if all you have to do is ask for it? Corresponding author email addresses are on papers for a reason! I will say that it is unusual for a group of scientists as prominent as the ones at CERN are to go to the media before publishing, but they are clearly very unsure of their results and would rather have a lot of eyes looking for bugs before they commit to publishing their results. This, of course, won't accomplish much if they try to keep secrets, as you are suggesting. In fact, here's a challenge for you. Go ask CERN for their FTL neutrino data. I bet they'll be happy to give you a copy. They'll probably even have a grad-student to spare to explain some of it to you, although his or her time will probably be at a premium for the next few weeks!

gmac 15y ago
That's a fair point, and my comment was a bit lazy. All I wanted to say was that publishing findings, publicising findings, and sharing the raw data aren't exactly the same thing and don't necessarily go together.