  Metadata, often termed "data about data," is crucial for organizing,
understanding, and managing vast omics datasets. It aids in efficient data
discovery, integration, and interpretation, enabling users to access,
comprehend, and utilize data effectively. Its significance spans the domains of
scientific research, facilitating data reproducibility, reusability, and
secondary analysis. However, numerous perceptual and technical barriers hinder
the sharing of metadata among researchers. These barriers compromise the
reliability of research results and hinder integrative meta-analyses of omics
studies . This study highlights the key barriers to metadata sharing, including
the lack of uniform standards, privacy and legal concerns, limitations in study
design, limited incentives, inadequate infrastructure, and the dearth of
well-trained personnel for metadata management and reuse. Proposed solutions
include emphasizing the promotion of standardization, educational efforts, the
role of journals and funding agencies, incentives and rewards, and the
improvement of infrastructure. More accurate, reliable, and impactful research
outcomes are achievable if the scientific community addresses these barriers,
facilitating more accurate, reliable, and impactful research outcomes.
