Research Data Repository

Research Data Repository

A key component of research data management plans is the archiving of data, samples and other research products, and the preservation of access to them. ITS can help Principal Investigators identify the requirements that must be satisfied by any data storage solution for data created as part of the data management and data sharing plans.

Research Data Repository Requirements

NIH on data sharing:

To minimize additional administrative workloads for sharing data, data repositories with common standards and an established infrastructure dedicated to the appropriate distribution of data would generally be ideal for data sharing.

University Policy on Collection and Retention of Research Data

Faculty Handbook, June 2011

“Case Western Reserve University must retain research data in sufficient detail and for an adequate period of time to enable appropriate responses to questions about accuracy, authenticity, primacy, and compliance with laws and regulations governing the conduct of the research. . .

“Research data must be archived for not less than three years after the final close-out or publication, whichever occurs last, with original data retained whenever possible. This should include reasonable and prudent practice for off-site back-up of electronic and hard-copy data. Where applicable, appropriate measures to protect confidential information must be taken. In addition, any of the following circumstances may justify longer periods of retention:

1. Data must be kept for as long as may be necessary to protect any intellectual property resulting from the work;
2. If any charges regarding the research arise, such as allegations of research misconduct or conflict of interest, data must be retained until such charges are fully resolved; and
3. If the data involved constitute part of a student's work toward a degree, they must be retained at least until the degree is awarded or it is clear that the student has abandoned the work.”

A Research Data Repository should include:

• Multiple backups and restoration practices, including online, near-line, offline and off-site storage of files.
• Continuous file integrity checks, such as checksum assignment and auditing
• Persistent identifiers that use metadata to continuously locate a file, even if it is moved during routine storage reallocation.
• Storage of files in multiple formats; one or more canonical formats that are vendor independent and conform to non-proprietary standards are employed whenever feasible. The original file format should also be maintained.