Database linking
Linking research data and research articles on ScienceDirect
Database Linking is available for researchers and data repositories as one method to ensure that data can be easily discovered and accessed. This is done by creating bidirectional links between data repositories and online articles on ScienceDirect. Readers on ScienceDirect have one-click access to relevant, trusted data that may help to validate research or drive further investigations.
Depositing data at a repository
Elsevier encourages authors to deposit raw experimental data at relevant data repositories. There are several ways in which we support interlinking of articles and data:
- ScholeXplorer: Elsevier collaborates with Scholix to establish links between articles and datasets. Currently we use ScholeXplorer to makes links available to CCDC, DRYAD, ICPSR, IEDA, PANGAEA and SEANOE. When you deposit data in one of these repositories the link will automatically appear on ScienceDirect.
- Data Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs): Elsevier supports Data DOIs as persistent identifiers for scientific data. If you include a data DOI in your article, it will automatically turn into a link to your data on ScienceDirect.
- Link to data repository: When you submit your article, you will be able to indicate in the submission system in which repository you have deposited your data. When you provide all relevant information, this will be made available with your article on ScienceDirect. This way, you can link out to the repository of your choice.
- Referencing data in your article through tagging identifiers or accession numbers: If your article contains relevant unique identifiers or accession numbers linking to information on genes, proteins, diseases, etc. or structures deposited in public databases, and you would like your article to link to that data, please identify these entities in the following way: "database abbreviation: data identifier". For example, "PDB: 1TUP" to identify the protein with accession number "1TUP" in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Please bear in mind that an error in a letter or number will result in a dead link in the article.
Example data repositories
To view examples of data repositories, see here:
Upload your data directly to Mendeley Data
Mendeley Data is a certified, free-to-use repository that hosts open data from all disciplines, whatever its format (e.g. raw and processed data, tables, codes and software). You can upload your data to Mendeley Data and then you will receive a DOI link to the data which you can use in the submission process for the article. After acceptance your data will be linked to the article on ScienceDirect, making it easy for readers to find and reuse.
Why should I share my research data?
There are so many good reasons! Find out more and discover how you can share research data with Elsevier.