It is increasingly common for researchers to make their data freely available. This is often a requirement of funding agencies but also consistent with the principles of open science, according to which all research data should be shared and made available for reuse. Once data is reused, the researchers who have provided access to it should be acknowledged for their contributions, much as authors are recognized for their publications through citation. 

For more information please visit: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2017/07/17/formalised-data-citation-practices-would-encourage-more-authors-to-make-their-data-available-for-reuse/