The FAIR Principles were published in 2016 with the aim of providing a guide for the management of research data. The implementation of the FAIR Principles in accessing research results is part of the Open Science ecosystem.
The development of the acronym reveals the four FAIR principles for research data:
1. Findable
To make data findable, it is recommended:
1.1. The assignment of a unique persistent identifier to (meta) data;
1.2. The description of the data with detailed metadata.
1.3. The registration or indexing of (meta) data in a searchable resource.
1.4. The inclusion of the identifier in the metadata.
2. Accessible
Making data accessible means that:
2.1. The (meta) data is recoverable through its identifier, using a standardized communications protocol.
2.1.1. The communications protocol is open, free and universally implementable.
2.1.2. The communications protocol allows for an authentication and authorization procedure, when necessary.
2.2. Metadata remains accessible, even if the data is no longer available.
3. Interoperable
The data will be interoperable if:
3.1. The (meta) data uses a formal, accessible, shared and widely applicable language for the representation of knowledge.
3.2. The (meta) data uses vocabularies that follow the FAIR principles.
3.3. The (meta) data includes qualified references to other (meta) data.
4. Reusable
Ensuring that the data is reusable means that:
4.1. The (meta) data has a plurality of precise and relevant attributes.
4.1.1. The (meta) data is made available with a clear and accessible license to use the data.
4.1.2. The (meta) data is associated with its source.
4.1.3. The (meta) data meets relevant standards of the disciplinary community