Selecting a Data Sharing
Repository
Why Share Data?
• Enabling others to replicate and verify results as part of the
scientific process
• Allows researchers to ask new questions and conduct new
analyses, and improve research methods
• Linking to research products like publications & presentations
• Creating a more complete understanding of a research study
• Meeting the expectations of sponsors, funders, publishers and
institutions
• Receiving credit for data creation for career advancement
• Reduces the costs of duplicating data collection
2
Questions to consider when selecting
a data sharing repository
Does your publisher
specify a location for
the data supporting
an article?
Does your discipline
recommend
a specific repository
or archive?
Does your
funder identify a
specific location
or facility?
Does your
institution have
specific
requirements?
http://datablog.is.ed.ac.uk/files/2013/12/bitsissue8_2-235x300.png
3
Data Sharing Repository Best Practices
Choose
early
Early
selection
helps prevent
surprises at
the end of
your research
when you
deposit your
data
Metadata
Knowing the
requirements
at the start
will enable
you to design
your data
collection
materials for
easier
metadata
creation
Persistent
Identifiers
Data
embargo
Be sure the
repository
supplies one
so your data
is findable,
citable, and
can be linked
to your
publications
If you want
to embargo
your data be
sure it is
allowable,
and learn
about any
restrictions
before you
submit
Data
access
Identify any
barriers
that may
limit or
restrict data
reuse
4
Data Sharing Repository Requirements
What kinds of
data do they
accept?
Do they require
specific file types?
Is it discipline
specific, or do
they accept
anything within
a range of
fields? Choose
what works
best for you
and your data.
Repositories may
have file type
requirements.
Choosing the
appropriate file
types for your
research makes
conversion at the
end easier.
Do they have a
rights or policy
statement?
Do they provide
long-term
preservation?
Does the
repository have
an acceptable
intellectual
property rights
policy, and a
privacy policy
that protects
you and your
data?
Does the
repository only
store the data,
or does it
curate your
data for reuse
by others?
Choose the one
that best meets
your needs.
5
Data Sharing Repository Advantages
Services provided:
• Persistent Identifiers -- unique and
citable
• Access controls
• Terms of Use & Licenses
• Repository guidelines for deposit
• Data preservation -- migrating to new
formats or emulating old formats
• Professional backup & documentation
• Repository Standards ensure
commitment and quality
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0078080
6
Identifying a data sharing repository
What do the icons mean?
http://re3data.org
re3data.org is the global
registry for research data
repositories. Use it to
find the appropriate
repository for the
permanent sharing
and storing of your data.
http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0078080.g001&representation=PNG_
M
7
Consider placing your data in the UVa
Institutional Repository: Libra
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Opened in 2011
Thesis and dissertations
Articles
Conference paper, posters
Article preprint
Book
Chapter in an edited collection
Datasets
Data redundancy is important,
so placing your data in two or
more repositories or archives
is a great idea!
8
Need assistance or have questions?
•
The UVa Library Research Data Services provides
consulting and training services to UVA researchers and
graduate students in all aspects of research data
management.
•
We can help you navigate and negotiate through the
tricky issues and many approvals in order to responsibly
share your research data.
•
Contact us at dmconsult@virginia.edu
9