Guide to archiving
OsloMet has adopted a policy for managing and making research data available, which states that research data should be managed according to the principle "as open as possible, as closed as necessary".
Archiving of data takes place after the project is completed, and must not be confused with active storage of data during the project period.
Consider where you deposit your data and ensure you have a backup, especially if you are using American repositories.
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How to choose an archive
There are a number of archive solutions for research data. Here are a few tips on how to choose a suitable archive for your data.
Explore whether there is an archive that is used in your field internationally. In some cases, the funder or publisher will require you to use a specific archive.
- You can search for subject-specific archives in the archive register re3data (re3data.org).
- As a researcher at OsloMet, you can upload your data to DataverseNO (dataverse.no), which is a national, generalist archive for open research data. Guide to archiving research data in DataverseNO.
- There are also other generalist archives where you can store your research data. Norwegian list of archives that may be relevant (openscience.no).
- Data from surveys can be archived and published in the Surveybanken (sikt.no), a service provided by Sikt. Data is first uploaded and archived at Sikt, before being published in the Surveybanken.
- For large data (single files larger than 1 TB), we recommend that you use the NIRD Research Data Archive, Sigma2 (sigma2.no).
Information on which criteria you should look for when choosing an archive can be found in these guides:
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Archiving personal and sensitive data
Sensitive data can in some cases be stored in closed archives (for example at Sikt), which offer access control according to defined criteria. Anonymized data can in some cases be deposited in an open archive.
If research data is collected with informed consent, plans for archiving after the end of the project must be included in the consent forms. Information on the research data life cycle and archiving options (elixir-europe.org).
Regardless of which archive you choose, you should structure and document your data according to best practice before you archive them. Data should be quality assured and organised, in accordance with OsloMet's policy for research data management.
Norwegian page about handling of research data (openscience.no).
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Support and training
Contact the section for research support services at the University Library (email), to get help with choosing an archive and support for archiving.