Finding Supporting Materials for Research Articles

Supporting materials for a research article typically include data sets, supplementary figures or tables, code, and other relevant materials that enhance the understanding and reproducibility of your research. Here are some common places where you can find and provide supporting materials for your research article:

1. Supplementary Information Section: Most scientific journals allow authors to include a "Supplementary Information" section in their articles. This section can be used to include additional figures, tables, data sets, or any other materials that are relevant to the research but not essential for the main article. Check the specific journal's guidelines for details on how to submit supplementary information.

2. Data Repositories: Many research disciplines have established data repositories where you can deposit and share your research data. Some well-known data repositories include:

   • PubMed Central (for biomedical research): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
   • Dryad: https://datadryad.org/
   • figshare: https://figshare.com/
   • Zenodo: https://zenodo.org/
   • Dataverse: https://dataverse.org/
   • Data.gov (for U.S. government-funded research): https://www.data.gov/

3. Institutional Repositories: Your own university or research institution may have its own repository for research materials. Check with your institution's library or research support services for information on how to deposit and share your supporting materials.

4. Preprint Servers: Some preprint servers, such as arXiv and bioRxiv, allow you to upload and share not only the main article but also supplementary files, data sets, and code related to your research.

5. Personal or Lab Websites: You can create a dedicated section on your personal or lab website to host supporting materials for your research articles. Make sure to provide clear and permanent links in your published articles.

6. GitHub or Other Code Repositories: If your research involves code or software, consider sharing it on platforms like GitHub or GitLab. These platforms provide version control and a way to share code with others.

7. Research Collaborations: If you have collaborated with other researchers or institutions, discuss with them the best way to share and host supporting materials. They may have their own preferred platforms or repositories.

8. Supplementary Material Archives: Some journals have their own supplementary material archives where you can submit supporting materials. Check the specific journal's submission guidelines for details.

9. Multipart Journal Articles: In some cases, research articles may be published in multiple parts or installments. Ensure that each part of your article includes references to the supporting materials and data relevant to that specific part.

When providing supporting materials, it's essential to ensure that they are well-documented, organized, and easily accessible to other researchers. Be transparent about how readers can access these materials by including clear links or references in your published article. Additionally, follow best practices for data sharing and ensure that any materials you provide are in compliance with ethical and legal considerations, including data privacy and copyright.