Towards new tools for bioresource use and sharing

Abstract

Abstract. Data sharing institutional incentives exist but no practical tools to implement such policy are in place. The BRIF (Bioresource Research Impact Factor) initiative was conceived as a possible way to fill this gap. It is an ongoing initiative that encompasses considerations and actions from various stakeholders (researchers, funders, industrials, editors) towards (i) standardized identification schemes and reporting for better visibility and tracing of bioresources on the web; (ii) incentive policies from hosting institutions; (iii) creation of tools allowing follow-up of their use.Tracing the use of bioresources is the first step in this process. For this purpose we have published the CoBRA (Citation of BioResources in journal Articles) guideline that standardizes the way bioresources are referred to in academic literature. We have launched the Open Journal of Bioresources in close collaboration with the open access publisher Ubiquity Press allowing both the resources to be cited and authors to get metrics on reuse and impact. Meanwhile, we have started developing new better adapted metrics; a first list of relevant parameters to take into account in the impact measure of bioresources has been provided.The tools proposed here foster easier access to samples and associated data as well as their optimized use, sharing and recognition for data producers. Input from the scientific information community would be highly appreciated at this stage.

How to responsibly acknowledge research work in the era of big data and biobanks: ethical aspects of the Bioresource Research Impact Factor (BRIF)

“…As a first step, the BRIF works to develop a framework that facilitates the accurate acknowledgement of bioresources through tracking the use of said resources in research. The impact of these resources will then eventually be measured by relevant fair metrics and performance indicators (De Castro et al 2013 ; Hofman et al 2013 ; Mabile et al 2016 ). The basis of the BRIF concept is to make it possible to systematically trace the use of a bioresource in academic literature and to quantify its use by relevant metrics.…”

“…The basis of the BRIF concept is to make it possible to systematically trace the use of a bioresource in academic literature and to quantify its use by relevant metrics. The tacit goal is to ensure responsible acknowledgement of work as well as to encourage the actors involved in bioresource work to share these resources efficiently (Mabile et al 2016 ). The implementation of the BRIF thus depends on its ability to meet stakeholders’ requirements and to incorporate it into existing systems of practice and parameters (Mabile et al 2013 ).…”

“…The implementation of the BRIF thus depends on its ability to meet stakeholders’ requirements and to incorporate it into existing systems of practice and parameters (Mabile et al 2013 ). “Tracing the use of a bioresource is the first step in this process and new tools have been or are being developed to make it feasible: the CoBRA guideline (Citation of BioResources in journal Articles), the Open Journal of Bioresources (OJB) and BRIF metrics” (Mabile et al 2016 ). Ideally, a unique digital identifier assigned through existing mechanisms (e.g.…”

“…Already, the CoBRA guideline (Bravo et al 2015 , http://www.equator-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Cobra-check-list.pdf ) has been developed by a dedicated BRIF working group to standardise citation of bioresources in scientific articles (Napolitani et al 2016 ). The CoBRA recommends that each individual bioresource used in research should be mentioned in the “Methods section” of articles and should be cited as an individual reference (Mabile et al 2016 ). The CoBRA citation scheme will permit the traceability of bioresource use in the literature, and it will also permit the traceability of secondary use of bioresources (Mabile et al 2016 ).…”

“…As a beginning of a solution to the “recognition” problem, the Bioresource Research Impact Factor/Framework (BRIF) initiative was proposed almost a decade and a half ago and work on how to make the BRIF initiative into concrete and useful tools is currently ongoing. The concept of the BRIF was first proposed in 2003 (Cambon-Thomsen 2003 ) and has since been further developed (Bravo et al 2015 ; Mabile et al 2013 ; Mabile et al 2016 ). As described by Mabile et al, the central aim of the BRIF is to construct a “quantitative tool to evaluate the impact of the use of a bioresource in research” (Mabile et al 2013 ).…”