Google Analytics 4 as a tool for monitoring FAIR data of professional publications in the field of educational sciences

Abstract

The digitization of science and the adoption of open science principles highlight the need for effective scientific data management. The international FAIR standards – which emphasize findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability of data – have become essential to modern scientific communication. However, their application to the websites of scientific journals, which serve as the primary infrastructure for knowledge dissemination, remains under-researched. This is particularly true for tools to monitor FAIR compliance, especially those utilizing modern web analytics systems. The purpose of this article is to analyze the monitoring of FAIR data from scientific journals in the field of educational sciences using the web analytics tool Google Analytics 4. The study involves an analysis of the scientific literature and employs a systematic approach to FAIR assessment, web analytics methods, and information system modeling. The empirical basis consists of Google Analytics 4 statistical reports on the scientific journal «Information Technologies and Learning Tools» for 2025.

The key Google Analytics 4 metrics that correlate with each of the four FAIR principles have been identified. A methodological framework for monitoring has been proposed, encompassing the stages of integration, data collection, interpretation, and managerial decision-making. Based on an analysis of data from the journal «Information Technologies and Learning Tools», it has been demonstrated that indicators of traffic sources, engagement time, technical compatibility, and repeat visits allow for an assessment of a publication’s FAIR compliance level. The developed methodology can be used by the editorial boards of scientific journals to self-assess the compliance of their web resources with FAIR principles, justify necessary technical changes, and increase the transparency and openness of scientific data.