Share or Publish Data
The best way to share data is to publish it on a recognized data repository. Depositing doesn’t mean sharing openly by default. Data repositories typically require applicants seeking access to research data to sign data access or transfer agreements that put restrictions on the recipient’s use of the data, such as the purposes for which the data can be used and the personnel with whom it can be shared. Sharing research data benefits you as a researcher and the whole research community. Open access to data allows for the verification and reproduction of research.
Many repositories (including McMaster Dataverse) allow for restricted access to files in cases of sensitive data. There are a variety of options available to deposit your data, and the best solution depends on your needs. These are some available options:
McMaster Dataverse, McMaster’s data repository, is part of a national network that gives your data a DOI and makes it findable at the international level. Consult the data deposit checklist to guide your data deposit.
The Federated Research Data Repository (FRDR) is a national data repository. Any researcher affiliated with a Canadian institution can deposit data into FRDR. FRDR is a good option for larger datasets over a terabyte in size.
Repository Finder, a tool by DataCite, can also help you find an appropriate repository to deposit your research data.
For domain-specific repositories review Nature's list of repository options by discipline.
Deposit Sensitive Datasets
Not all research data can be shared publicly. To meet sharing requirements, researchers with sensitive data have a few options. They can anonymize their data and deposit it in an open repository or work with a repository that has restricted access. Research institutes with sensitive data can also develop robust access systems to inform the research community how their datasets can be accessed.
Anonymize Data
Some data containing sensitive information (personal identifiers, health information, sensitive ecological information, industrial trade secrets) can be de-identified. This means removing any direct identifiers and combinations of data that may make individuals identifiable. Learn more about Data Anonymization.
Restricted Access
Some data can be published in restricted access data repositories. These repositories have Data Access Committees and access controls determined by the research team to ensure researchers only get access to datasets if they have ethics clearance, are working on certain types of research, and are working in an accredited institution, for example. Examples of this include the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), Vivli (a platform for clinical research), and the Qualitative Data Repository (QDR). Many of the repositories on the National Institutes of Health list are restricted access.
Research Centre Data Access Frameworks
To meet data sharing requirements, research data needs to be easily accessible by other researchers. For large research hubs that serve as third party data platforms for researchers across their institutions and beyond, this means establishing robust data access frameworks. This could look like developing a template data sharing agreement to be co-signed by researchers, publishing your access process openly on your website, and drafting a data access statement researchers can use when they publish. RDM Services consult on setting up a framework for your research group.
Ethics and Data Sharing
Researchers sharing data collected from human participants need consent for data sharing. The best way to do this is to plan for data sharing in your ethics application. Get template Data Management Language for Informed Consent. If you didn’t get consent at the outset, the Tri-Agencies now have Guidance on Depositing Existing Data in Public Repositories. Use this document as a reference point to reach out to the ethics board to confirm next steps.
Support
Research Data Management (RDM) Services provide resources and services to help you find suitable repositories and deposit your data.
Training
- Essentials of Open Data Sharinga recorded webinar on open data sharing and data repository options
- Depositing & Sharing Data Online with McMaster Dataversea recorded webinar on depositing your data on McMaster Dataverse for archival, preservation, and sharing
- Before You Dig: Finding and Reusing Datasetslearn more about finding and reusing datasets in data repositories across the world; potential new collaborators, verify or reproduce results, expand on existing data, and more
- What are ORCiDs and DOIs—and Why Do I Need Them?an introductory webinar on ORCiDs and DOIs
Feedback
The Digital Research Kickstarter is a living document that will be refined as we gather more information from users. We encourage and welcome any feedback. Please submit your feedback below or by emailing AskResearch.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
