I. Scope

All data repositories have criteria that limit the types of data they will publish. Deposits that are in-scope for Dryad should meet the following conditions:

1. If applicable, human subjects data has been properly de-identified and does not require any additional protections 

2. Individual files are less than 10 GB and total project size is less than 300 GB. Larger deposits may be possible (contact datamanagement@osu.edu to inquire)

3. Authors consent to sharing the data into the public domain with a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) waiver  

Additional Resources:

II. Submission Process

Initiating a Deposit:

• No pre-approval is required. Begin the deposit process by authenticating with your ORCID credentials on Dryad's Login Page. Need help with ORCID? See the University Libraries ORCID Guide.
• The deposit must be initiated by an Ohio State affiliate to receive membership benefits. Your account will automatically be associated with the Ohio State based on your login credentials.
• Multiple authors can be listed (including external collaborators), but only the user who initiates the deposit will be able to upload files and modify the metadata.

What to Include:

• Metadata about the dataset, entered directly into a webform during submission
• README file describing the content and organization of the file(s), uploaded from a template or entered directly into a webform
• If applicable, other documentation such as a data dictionary (if not included in the README)
• If applicable, any code/software related to the data that you also want to share

What to Expect:

• After submission, data will undergo Dryad's curation process. The length of time for this varies, but is usually a few weeks or less if all requirements have been followed. Processing time may be extended if required documentation is missing.
• Data will be made public immediately following the conclusion of the curation process. You will receive an email notification with your DOI.
• Reviewer Access to Data: You can select "Private for Peer Review" on the final page of the submission form to generate a private URL for use in peer review. Data will not begin the curation process or receive a DOI until this designation has been removed.
• Updating Data: You can select "Create new version" from your Dryad dashboard. Updated datasets receive another round of curation. The DOI remains the same and all current and previous versions of the data remain available for download.

Additional Resources:

III. Licenses

Applying a license to data makes it clear to those who access it what the terms and conditions are for future use. Repositories may give depositors a choice on how they would like to license their data, or they may require the use of a particular license type. 

Deposit to the Dryad Data Repository requires use of the Creative Commons 0 license (CC0), which means that your data will become part of the public domain. 

For more information about the requirement for CC0, see the following links:

IV. Template Language

Template language appropriate for use in Data Management Plans is available on the following page:

I. Scope

All data repositories have criteria that limit the types of data they will publish. Deposits that are in-scope for QDR should meet the following conditions:

1. Collected/generated as part of a qualitative or multi-method research project
2. Authors ensure that appropriate processes have been followed for sharing data under copyright, acquired from archival research, or derived from interaction with human partcipants (QDR is also available to consult on questions related to these issues)
3. Authors consent to sharing the data according to QDR's Standard Access Agreement, which allows free re-use to registered users for research and pedagogy. Alternatively, restrictions can be applied through a Special Access Agreement if needed for sensitive data.

Additional Resources:

II. Submission Process

Initiating a Deposit:

• Pre-approval is required for deposit or inclusion of QDR in a data management plan. Allow for up to 5 days for review. Begin the pre-approval process by any of the following:
  • Contacting Ohio State Data Services at datamanagement@osu.edu
  • Contacting QDR directly at qdr@syr.edu
  • Registering an account at QDR's website and uploading minimal metadata (without data files) as a "New Project"
• The deposit must include an Ohio State affiliate to receive membership benefits. QDR will verify with Ohio State Data Services staff whether membership benefits should be applied. 
• Multiple authors can be listed (including external collaborators), but only the user who initiates the deposit will be able to upload files and modify the metadata.

What to Include:

• Metadata about the dataset, entered directly into a webform during submission
• If applicable, designation of which files require restricted access
• If applicable, other documentation files such as:
  • Questionnaires used for surveys or semi-structured interviews
  • Guidance materials used for team-based fieldwork
  • Instructions for focus group facilitation
  • Consent forms and information sheets
  • Approved IRB application
  • Permissions or licenses from copyright holders
  • Description of methods used to analyze the data
  • Description of fieldwork and project context
  • Description of how derived materials (individual files or variables) were created
  • Coding schemas

What to Expect:

• After being approved, data will undergo QDR's curation process. The length of time for this varies and can generally be estimated during the pre-approval consultation.
• Data can be made public immediately following the conclusion of the curation process or can be designated for release on a specified date. You will receive an email notification with your DOI.
• Reviewer Access to Data: A preview link can be created by request for editor or peer review of the data publication. Data will not receive a DOI or be publicly available until after curation.
• Updating Data: You can release a new version with prior approval from QDR. The DOI remains the same and all current and previous versions of the data remain available for download.

Additional Resources:

III. Licenses

Applying a license to data makes it clear to those who access it what the terms and conditions are for future use. Repositories may give depositors a choice on how they would like to license their data, or they may require the use of a particular license type. 

Deposit to the Qualitative Data Repository defaults to the use of their Standard Access Agreement, which allows free re-use to registered users for research and pedagogy. Additional restrictions can be applied through a Special Access Agreement, if needed.

For more information about QDR's standard and special agreements, see the following links:

IV. Template Language

Template language appropriate for use in Data Management Plans is available on the following page:

Additional Resources: