Writing & StyleStyle guide

Data Sharing Section

CONSORT 2025 includes an open-science item on where and how de-identified participant-level data, statistical code, and other trial materials can be accessed. Data sharing must respect consent, privacy, ethics, legal, contractual, and repository requirements; do not promise unrestricted access when those constraints apply.

Quick answer

A Data Sharing section states whether and how de-identified participant-level data, code, and relevant materials will be made available.

Key details

Core IssueCONSORT 2025 includes an open-science item on where and how de-identified participant-level data, statistical code, and other trial materials can be accessed.
Registerscholarly, professional, or research/report writing

Important caveats

Scope Boundary

Data sharing must respect consent, privacy, ethics, legal, contractual, and repository requirements; do not promise unrestricted access when those constraints apply.

Further guidance

Content

State what materials are available, where they can be accessed, any request or repository process, timing, conditions, and important restrictions where applicable.

Purpose

Make the availability conditions for reusable trial materials explicit rather than leaving readers to infer whether sharing is possible.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. CONSORT 2025 statement: updated guideline for reporting randomised trials (opens in a new tab)BMJ / CONSORT Group · Primary 2025 CONSORT reporting guideline for randomized trials, including participant flow and trial-registration information.

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