Reporting on data sharing: executive position of the EQUATOR Network

The EQUATOR (Enhancing the Quality and Transparency Of health Research) Network supports the practice of data sharing, and the reporting of data management and sharing plans, in all reports of biomedical research. Both practices should be included as checklist items when developing new or updating reporting guidelines. More focus should be given to structuring and standardising data management and sharing plans to help provide a similar impact as reporting guidelines.