> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/fair-assistance/fair-enabling-databases/fair-a1-for-database-evaluation.md).

# FAIR A1 for database evaluation

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## FAIR Principles A1: (meta)data are retrievable by their identifier using a standardized communications protocol

<https://doi.org/10.25504/FAIRsharing.7014eb>

FAIR Principle A1 requires that (meta)data are retrievable by their identifier using a standardised communications protocol. Within the ARK-based benchmarks, this principle focuses on whether databases provide computational access to their content and whether that access is sufficiently documented and available to potential users.

FAIRsharing does not currently curate detailed information regarding protocol types or authentication and authorisation mechanisms. Consequently, the ARK-based benchmarks interpret A1 more broadly as the ability to retrieve content through computational means and the transparency of the associated access conditions.

Computational access is an important FAIR-enabling characteristic because it enables integration with software systems, automated workflows, FAIR assessment services, data analysis pipelines, and machine-assisted discovery services. Documentation of these access mechanisms is equally important because users and machines must understand how access is obtained and under which conditions content may be retrieved.

The metrics associated with A1 evaluate computational access capabilities, documentation of those capabilities, and the openness of database access conditions. Please note that, while the 'computational access' characteristic is similar to the '[FAIR Metric - F4 - provides machine search interface](https://fairsharing.org/8378)' metric, it is deliberately broader in scope. Whereas the F4 metric evaluates whether machines can discover content through search or browse functions, this metric evaluates whether any computational access mechanism is available for retrieving content from the resource. This distinction reflects the focus of FAIR Principle A1 on retrievability rather than discoverability.

**Database FAIR-Enabling Characteristics**

<table><thead><tr><th width="101.19921875">Context</th><th width="214.8828125">Database FAIR-enabling characteristic</th><th>FAIRsharing operationalisation</th><th>Metric</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>🧩</td><td>Database allows computational access to its content</td><td>Presence of at least one <a href="/pages/mtHxVse4qZsguS3zLeiE">Data Process</a> using an access method other than User Interface and whose process type includes Read or Read and Write. </td><td><a href="https://fairsharing.org/8379">FAIR Metric - A1 - Metadata - Resource provides computational access</a></td></tr><tr><td>🧩</td><td>Database documents computational access methods</td><td>Presence of documentation associated with <a href="/pages/mtHxVse4qZsguS3zLeiE">Data Process</a> whose access method is not User Interface and whose process type includes Read or Read and Write.</td><td><a href="https://fairsharing.org/8380">FAIR Metric - A1 - Metadata - Resource documents computational access methods</a></td></tr><tr><td>🏛</td><td>Database declares open or partially open access conditions</td><td><a href="/pages/7r34lbIpf4e7rvr71wML#data-access-condition">Data Access Conditions</a> set to Open or Partially Open.</td><td><a href="https://fairsharing.org/8381">FAIR Metric - A1 - Metadata - Database declares open access conditions</a></td></tr></tbody></table>