01340nas a2200169   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260000800043100001700051700001600068700001600084245004100100300001200141490000700153520099600160022001401156       2025                            d  cjun1 aStefan Ekman1 aOlle Sköld1 aIsto Huvila00aFunctions of Paradata in Data Papers  a253-2720 v813 aThe purpose of this article is to increase our understanding of data papers as research narratives, with a focus on the functions that paradata — information about data creation and management processes and their underlying reasons — have, apart from describing data processes.,Seven papers from archaeological data journals were selected based on the number of citations they have received specifically for the use of their associated data. The paradata in the seven papers were analysed through close readings of them as narratives, and prominent functions were identified and examined.,Three expressive paradata functions were found in the data paper narratives, contributing to the papers  arguments for the usefulness of the datasets, to the tone of the data papers and to the papers  construction of credibility.,We are aware of no previous studies of paradata as part of data paper narratives or of any studies of data papers employing close reading as an analytical tool.  a1758-7379