Introductory Research Data Management

Sharing data can:

• increase citation rates and impact of research
• provide real-world examples for teaching and learning
• encourage enquiry and debate
• promote innovation and lead to new collaborations
• maximize transparency and accountability
• encourage improvements in research methods
• reduce costly duplication
• meet federal funding agency expectations

Examine repositories early and consult colleagues on their data sharing practices.Questions to ask when choosing a data repository:

• Are your colleagues likely to find your data in this repository?
• What will it cost to deposit your data? How is the repository funded?
• Is your data stored in a format that is useful?
• Can you restrict who has access to your data, if needed?
• Can the data be found via a unique identifier (URL, DOI)? Does the repository supply one?
• How long will your data be retained? What will occur when that time is up?
• Are the rights of the repository, the depositor, and the end-user clear?
• Can you set limits on how others can use your data, if you need to?
• Does the repository follow digital preservation standards (disaster recovery plans, file integrity checking, format migration, etc.)?
• Does the repository require adequate documentation for re-use?  
• What are the funding sources for the repository and are they reputable?

 A few data repositories boast the Data Seal of Approval by the Data Archiving and Networked Services. As this field grows, more certification processes will enable researchers to easily identify repositories that meet their needs. 

The most comprehensive index of data repositories from around the world. 

Contact Data Services Team or the Scholarly Sharing Strategist for information on depositing datasets in the Knowledge Bank.