About the ASU Research Data Repository

The ASU Research Data Repository is a repository for published research data where ASU-affiliated researchers share, download, archive, cite, explore, and make research data accessible and discoverable. The repository is a dedicated research data management platform and a core service for the university that facilitates the publication and reuse phase of the research data lifecycle and works in concert with the ASU Digital Repository ecosystem to present a complete picture of ASU’s scholarly activities. The repository is built in the Dataverse open-source research data repository software, developed and used by Harvard University. The repository, part of ASU’s university-wide data management effort, serves as a place to publish, find and use research datasets. Research datasets can be directly downloaded, referenced through metadata, or analyzed via 3rd party applications.

Submission of datasets is limited to ASU-affiliated projects and people. The use of datasets and material published in the repository is open to anyone except otherwise noted due to legal or ethical restrictions.

Key features for publishing research data

• Users may persistently cite datasets from the repository.

• The library provides a systematic path toward preserving research datasets and supplemental materials beyond routine backups currently offered by cloud and on-premise solutions.

• Publishing fulfills the curation and preservation of research datasets' supplementary output. It supports faculty promotion and tenure guidelines to recognize the importance and disciplinary contributions of developing and disseminating research databases.

Active projects in the creation, collection, and analysis phase of the research data lifecycle will utilize other data acquisition and processing systems, such as electronic notebooks, cloud storage solutions, and other tools supported by the university. Refer to Research Technology Service Selector or visit ASU Research Data Management for a complete list of resources and contacts.

Why deposit data in the ASU Research Data Repository

To comply with funding requirements. Publishing your research data can help you comply with funder mandates regarding data archiving and sharing and gives you resources for developing data management plans and grant applications.

To ensure reliable, managed access to data. The repository gives you a convenient and reliable place to collect and share your data. And by depositing data there, you benefit from ASU Library’s focus on long-term access and preservation of your content.

To increase scholarly impact. By publishing your data with the ASU Research Data Repository, you give it a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), making it easy for others to cite reliably. The library ensures that all our registered DOIs remain functional regardless of platform changes and updates that might otherwise cause links to expire or become unusable.

To collaborate with research teams. Some situations may necessitate restricting access to data, at least for a specified time. The repository allows researchers to share data with a select group of ASU colleagues, version their data, and publish it when they’re ready.

Scope of Service

ASU the repository Research Data Repository is a part of ASU Library’s scholarly works collections that support Arizona State University’s goals of advancing research and discovery of public value, facilitating opportunities for interdisciplinary research, and increasing global engagement.

For a complete description, see the Research Data Repository Service Scope Statement and General Terms of Use

What to deposit (and not to deposit)

The short and sweet version:

• You can deposit data in any file type.

• You can deposit data from any research discipline.

• You can edit the license that governs data reuse. (CC0 is the default.)

• You cannot deposit data that contains confidential or sensitive information.

The longer version:

• Researchers can deposit various data and related electronic materials to the repository, including spreadsheets, sensor and instrument data, surveys, GIS data, imagery, and associated material such as codebooks or data dictionaries. Any individual file uploaded to the repository must be under 4GB. However, file uploads over 2GB, and for some below that threshold, may be slow or stall due to variables outside of ASU’s control. If you have data files over 4GB, we will consider support options on a case-by-case basis and consult with your library liaison. Please use our Contact Researcher Support form if you have trouble uploading files.

• The ASU Library encourages data deposit from all disciplines. The repository accepts any data file type. However, it is advisable to provide data in open, non-proprietary file formats to ensure broader use for researchers with access to different analytic software.

• The ASU Repository is not your only option for publishing your research data. A disciplinary-based repository may be a more appropriate choice, especially when your funder or publisher mandates you use a specific repository. Citing disciplinary repository submissions in your articles enables the discoverability of your dataset. If your alternative repository does not guarantee preservation services, you can still use ASU’s Repository as a secondary source.

• By default, published data is assigned a CC0 license so that others may freely access and build upon the work. If appropriate, researchers can alter this license and create custom terms of use for their data.

• The ASU Research Data Repository does NOT accept content that contains confidential or sensitive information and requires that contributors remove, replace, or redact such information from datasets before upload. Confidential or sensitive information refers to all identifiable information, such that re-identification of any subjects from the amalgamation of the information available from all of the materials is possible and can include: social security numbers; credit card numbers; medical record numbers; health plan numbers; other account numbers of individuals; or biometric identifiers (fingerprints, retina, voice print, DNA, etc.).

How the Dataverse Software Works

A Dataverse collection is a container for datasets (research data, code, documentation, and metadata) and other collections set up for individual researchers, departments, journals, and organizations.

Open

Each collection contains datasets. Each dataset includes:

• Data files

• Metadata that describes the data files

Each dataset may also include:

• Code associated with the data files

• Additional documentation describing the data files and project form which they derive

Open