Research Data: Understanding and choosing data repositories
Learning basic assessment of data repositories related to your discipline is important to prepare research data for sharing and deposit.
In general, there are two categories of data repositories:
- Domain-specific: a data repository that focuses on specific discipline
- Multi-disciplinary: a data repository that combines several fields of study or academic interests. An example is Illinois Data Bank.
Exploring data repositories
Use re3data.org to select a data repository that might be appropriate for your current or upcoming research project. Initially, consider subject coverage and scope and the the types of data/files accepted.
- Browse by Subject: http://www.re3data.org/browse/by-subject/
- Browse by Content Type: http://www.re3data.org/browse/by-content-type/
- Browse by Country: http://www.re3data.org/browse/by-country/
Considerations for choosing a repository
- Mandates
- Funding agency
- Publisher
- Audience / Users
- Data / Project Scope
- Standard practices in your discipline:
- Established descriptive terms (metadata)
- Specific software to read data files
- Repository specifications
- File types, formats, and sizes, etc.
- Data (re-)use and impact
- Sensitivity / Privacy
- Cost / Fees
If you have any questions about data repositories, please contact the Research Data Service.