Developing Best Practices for Sharing Qualitative Health Data

Abstract

Compared to quantitative data, qualitative data are shared with repositories and other researchers much less frequently due to additional practical and ethical considerations that must be made before sharing. As new data sharing requirements are implemented by various funders, understanding and addressing the barriers to sharing qualitative data are increasingly important. This paper describes a project that attempts to do just that. In collaboration with other institutional partners, we have developed a process that helps overcome some barriers to sharing qualitative health data, using technical and non-technical assistance in the data preparation process. In addition to describing the process we developed in this project, we summarize the lessons learned about emerging best practices in sharing qualitative health data and offer recommendations for improving qualitative data sharing. These recommendations can be implemented by individual researchers, institutions, and data repositories to ensure FAIR access to qualitative health data.