Table 2 Stakeholder inclusion (left) and exclusion (right) criteria

Work of stakeholder is/was related to MERS public health response or related research during the outbreaks

Stakeholder is unavailable during time frame of data collection of this case study

Stakeholder has/had authority to make (a) decision(s) on data sharing or a key role in, or key influence on, data sharing within their operating level(s) (national, regional, international, global)

Stakeholder feels he/she has not much to say or has insufficient knowledge about the topic of the case study and/or refers to others for answering to case study interview questions

Stakeholder is/was collaborating and sharing data with stakeholders from Qatar

Stakeholder is part of the case study team

Stakeholder is/was involved in laboratory or public health research that directly or indirectly shaped the public health response in Qatar

Stakeholder was involved in crucial phases of the outbreak response or related research