Data and reproducibility

1. Introduction
The "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" strives to promote transparent, reliable, and reproducible research. We believe that the availability of fundamental research data, as well as a clear description of methodologies (including models, algorithms, and software), is crucial for the scientific process. This ensures the possibility of verification, fosters collaboration, opens up new research directions, and ultimately enhances the credibility and significance of published works. This policy outlines the "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" requirements for authors regarding data sharing, data citation, adherence to publication standards, and general research result reproducibility in accordance with the Core Principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

2. Description

  • Research Data: Includes any information or materials collected, obtained from observations, generated, or created to validate the results of the original research. This may include numerical data, textual data, images, audiovisual recordings, software, code, algorithms, mathematical models, protocols, and methods. For "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics," this particularly refers to the data used in the development and testing of optimization models, industrial system simulations, ergonomic assessments, and decision-making systems.

  • Reproducibility: Defines the extent to which consistent results can be obtained when the experiment or research is repeated. This may include using the data and analytical methods of the original authors (computational reproducibility) or conducting new research based on the original methods (empirical reproducibility).

  • Reporting Guidelines: Standardized checklists, flowcharts, or structured texts that assist authors in reporting specific types of research, ensuring completeness and transparency (e.g., guidelines for simulation studies, empirical studies, or systematic reviews).
    The benefits of open data and reproducible research practices include increased trust in research results, opportunities for data reuse and new discoveries, reduced duplication of efforts, enhanced collaboration, and greater public trust in science.

3. Policy

  • Data Availability and Sharing:

    • The "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" strongly encourages authors to publish all research data, codes, mathematical models, algorithms, and other materials necessary to understand, verify, and reproduce the results of their research whenever ethically and legally permissible.

    • Authors must include a "Data Availability Statement" in the submitted manuscript, which will be published with the article, detailing how and where the original data can be accessed.

    • Acceptable methods of data sharing include depositing in recognized public data repositories, including as supplementary material with the published article, or providing clear instructions for data access upon request under certain conditions.

    • The "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" recognizes that some data may not be publishable due to legitimate ethical reasons (e.g., protecting the privacy of research participants if the data cannot be fully anonymized), legal constraints (e.g., confidentiality of data obtained through industry partnerships), or intellectual property concerns. In such cases, authors must clearly state these restrictions in the Data Availability Statement and, where possible, provide information on how qualified researchers can request access.

  • Data Citation:

    • Authors must properly cite all datasets (both their own and those created by other authors) used or generated in their research. Citations should be provided both in the main text where the data is discussed and in the reference list.

    • The "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" strongly recommends the use of persistent identifiers (e.g., Digital Object Identifiers—DOIs) for cited datasets.

  • Use of Reporting Guidelines:

    • The "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" encourages authors to follow established reporting guidelines corresponding to the design of their research and research areas in industrial engineering and system optimization. This helps ensure clarity, completeness, and transparency in their research reports. Authors should familiarize themselves with resources such as the EQUATOR Network or recommendations developed for specific types of research.

  • Code, Software, Models, and Algorithms:

    • For studies involving computational analysis, user software, specialized algorithms, or mathematical models (which are central to the activities of the "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics"), authors are strongly encouraged to make the relevant code, software, models, and algorithms publicly available (e.g., through repositories such as GitHub, Zenodo, or institutional repositories).

    • These materials must be well-documented so that other researchers can understand, apply, verify, and further develop them. They should also be properly cited in the manuscript.

  • Reproducibility of Results:

    • Authors bear primary responsibility for ensuring that their methods, data, and any associated materials are described with sufficient detail and clarity to allow other researchers to attempt to reproduce the presented results.

    • The "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" may encourage or require the submission of materials that facilitate reproducibility, such as computational notebooks (e.g., Jupyter), detailed pseudocode, or scripts.

  • Data Integrity and Preservation:

    • Authors must retain the original research data and associated documentation for a reasonable period after publication (e.g., 5–10 years, or as required by the institution/sponsor) and provide access to this data upon reasonable request from the journal, reviewers, or readers, considering ethical, legal, and confidentiality restrictions.

    • Responsible data management practices must be applied throughout the entire research lifecycle.

  • Research Registration (if applicable):

    • Although this is less common for all types of research within the "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics," for certain research projects, such as systematic reviews (e.g., registration in PROSPERO) or prospective simulation studies, prior registration in a public registry is recommended to enhance transparency and reduce publication bias.

4. Technical Aspects of Policy Implementation and Materialization

  • Data Availability Statement (DAS):

    • Filling out the DAS is a mandatory component of all research articles submitted to the "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics." This statement must be included in the manuscript (e.g., after the "Conclusion" section or before the reference list).

    • The DAS should clearly indicate how and where the data supporting the results presented can be found. Examples include:

      • “The data presented in this study are openly available in [repository name] at [DOI/URL/access number].”

      • “Data supporting the conclusions of this study are available as supplementary materials to this article.”

      • “Data supporting the conclusions of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, subject to [specify any conditions, e.g., data-sharing agreements, ethical approvals].”

      • “Data sharing is not applicable to this article, as no new data were created or analyzed in this research (e.g., for a review or conceptual paper).”

      • “Data supporting the results of this study are subject to [restrictions, e.g., confidentiality, ownership rights]. De-identified data may be available to researchers meeting the criteria for access to confidential data from [contact information].”

  • Data Repository Selection:

    • The "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" encourages authors to deposit their data in recognized, reliable, and preferably community-approved public repositories that guarantee long-term storage and availability and assign persistent identifiers (e.g., DOI). Examples of such repositories include Zenodo, Figshare, Dryad, OSF, institutional repositories, or discipline-specific repositories related to engineering or computational sciences.

  • Data, Code, and Model Documentation and Formatting:

    • The data should be well-organized, in widely accepted and preferably open formats, and accompanied by clear documentation (e.g., a README file, data dictionary, codebook) explaining the data structure, variables, units of measurement, and any necessary context for interpretation and reuse.

    • Code and software should be commented and include information on dependencies, versions, and how to run the code. Models and algorithms should be described with adequate mathematical and procedural detail.

  • Citation of Data, Code, Software, and Models:

    • Results from these materials should be officially cited in the reference list, just like other scientific publications. Citations should include, when possible, the following details: author(s)/creator(s), title, year of publication/creation, repository name, version number, and a permanent identifier (e.g., DOI or direct URL).

  • Considerations for Peer Review:

    • Reviewers will be asked to consider the availability and adequacy of the described data and methods for ensuring reproducibility.

    • In the case of data and code sharing, reviewers may be asked to access and assess these materials as part of their review, if feasible and within their area of expertise.

    • Reviewers will also evaluate the clarity and completeness of the Data Availability Statement.

  • Reporting Guidelines:

    • The "Instructions for Authors" of the "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" will provide links to relevant resources for reporting guidelines such as the EQUATOR Network and recommend authors review guidelines concerning their methodology (e.g., for simulation studies, empirical research, algorithm development).

  • Post-Publication Data Issues:

    • If concerns arise regarding the availability, integrity, or interpretation of data, or reproducibility of the study after publication, the "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" will investigate these issues in accordance with COPE recommendations. This may include contacting authors for clarification, requesting access to raw data, or publishing corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions as necessary.

  • Exemptions and Embargoes:

    • Authors who are unable to make their data publicly available due to ethical, legal, or confidentiality reasons must clearly explain these restrictions in the Data Availability Statement when submitting the article. The journal will consider such exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

    • If data are subject to an embargo period before public release (e.g., to allow authors time to file a patent application), this should also be stated and justified in the DAS.

The "Uzbek Journal of Modern Physics" believes that adherence to these data sharing and reproducibility principles will significantly contribute to the quality and effectiveness of research in the fields of industrial engineering and system optimization.


ISSN 3093-8686 (Online)