The UTM Library provides Research Data Management assistance, including the selection of data management planning resources, support for free storage, information on data sharing and long-term access. To request a consultation please contact Yayo Umetsubo.
1) Why Managing Research Data is Important
- To save time and expense through the research project life cycle
- To share knowledge and allow for greater innovation in research
- To comply with government funding and/or journal publishing policies
Visit the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy (March 15, 2021) and Frequently Asked Questions Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy.
Also see UTL Research Data Management website.
2) Data Management Planning
Research Data Management should begin with the creation of a Data Management Plan (DMP). Data Management Plans should include the following completed sections:
- Research Project Title and Description
- Data Description (Types? Tools for collection& processing? Who collects, manages, uses? Who is responsible?)
- Metadata Information (What a potential user needs to make sense out of the data)
- Storage and Confidentiality details (Where and how to store? Backup details? Restrictions & access permissions?)
- Retention and Preservation details (What will be kept and for how long? Who is responsible?)
Information on typical DMP questions is presented below with assisting guidance:
- U of T Libraries – Data management plan questions and guidance for creating a DMP
- U of T Libraries – Data management plan checklist
Constructing your own DMP with the online DMP Assistant (Portage: The Digital Research Alliance of Canada) and DMP exemplars under the Portage Network's Training Resources can be another option.
Note that some funders may require a specific DMP template be used, always check first.
3) Depositing Your Research Data
When you are planning to share your data publicly during/after your project, there are various data repository options to choose: for example, a) discipline-specific, b) institutionally supported, c) general-purpose, d) national-wide collaborative, and e) publisher-owned repositories. Here let's look at b) and c).
Institutionally Supported Repositories:
Borealis, Dataverse repository: UofT institutional data repository
- Free space for UTM and UofT Researchers to share data: Data are stored in the Ontario Library Research Cloud
- The maximum file size limit for individual file upload is 3GB
- DOI are available for citation of research
- Private and collaborative space available as well, until you choose to make it open
- 55 institutions in Canada are using Borealis, the Canadian Dataverse Repository
- The data centres are located in Canada: York, Toronto, Queen’s, Ottawa, and Guelph
- Allows for self-submissions by UTM or UofT researchers
- Staff assisted deposited also available. Please contact Yayo Umetsubo for more information
- For further information about Borealis, visit User Guide and Terms of Use
Sample General Repositories:
Figshare
- Upload files that are up to 5GB in size
- 20GB of free private space
- DOI are available for citation of research
- For further information, visit How to upload and publish your data
Zenodo
- Total files size limit per record is 50GB
- DOI are available for citation of research
- For further information, visit General Policies v1.0 and Frequently Asked Questions
The List for Repositories:
- R3data.org: Registry of Research Data Repositories
- Master Data Repository List (Web of Science)
4) Research Data Repositories 101
The National Training Expert Group published several new resources to help researchers, RDM facilitators, and institutions follow best practices in RDM and comply with funder policies. Two examples are: