In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing open science and amplifying research impact, IOP Publishing (IOPP) is now assigning Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to all supplementary data files. This powerful step is set to transform how researchers share and access supplementary materials.

The goal? To make supplementary data more Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reproducible (FAIR). By achieving this, IOPP is not just improving data accessibility but also ensuring that authors receive the recognition they deserve for contributions that extend beyond their main articles.

Research shows that linked data articles boast a citation advantage — meaning more visibility and credibility. When supplementary files aren't easily discoverable or citable, their potential impact is severely limited. This new initiative aims to change all that.

What Does This Mean for Authors and Researchers?

1. **Elevated Recognition**: With supplementary files now formally citable, authors will gain acknowledgment for a wider array of their research outputs, broadening the horizon of academic recognition.

2. **Boosted Discoverability**: The data will be prominently featured on article pages and will have dedicated pages on IOPscience, making it a breeze for anyone to find through search engines.

3. **Support for Open Science Policies**: This move also aligns with funders’ open science policies, making it easier for scholars to comply with requirements for public sharing of research data.

This pivotal decision stemmed from feedback within the research community. A survey conducted among researchers published by IOPP highlighted a strong desire for improved connections between articles and relevant data. Following a successful trial of assigning persistent identifiers to supplementary data in select journals, the demand was clear.

Daniel Keirs, the Head of Journal Strategy and Performance at IOP Publishing, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, "Assigning DOIs to supplementary data is an important step towards a more transparent and interconnected research environment. It empowers authors by crediting every facet of their work and simplifies the process of finding and accessing data. This initiative propels us toward a more FAIR research ecosystem and reinforces our commitment to open science amid a global shift towards openness and reproducibility in the scientific community."