Research data is the key to scientific findings. Factual records (numerical scores, textual records, images and sounds) used as primary sources for scientific research, and that are commonly accepted in the scientific community as necessary to validate research findings. Data management allows control over the life cycle for the data to be collected, processed and/or generated by a research project. Aspects to consider:
- the handling of research data during & after the end of the project;
- what data will be collected, processed and/or generated;
- which methodology & standards will be applied;
- whether data will be shared/made open access and
- how data will be curated & preserved (including after the end of the project).
RESEARCH DATA PRINCIPLES
- Manage research data responsibly
- FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reproducible)
- Data Management Plans from the beginnig of the project (as living documents that can change during it)
- Deposition in trusted repositories (and link data to publications, if applicable)
- Data is not the only research output that should be managed: Software, algorithms, protocols, workflows, models, etc.
- « As open as possible, as closed as necessary »
- Open does not mean unprotected
- CC BY or CC0 (or equivalent) if open
In recent years, data collected, generated, or used in the development of research projects have received increasing attention from the research community and research management bodies. At European level, the Horizon 2020 framework program and its Open Research Data Pilot have promoted the Research Data Management (RDM).This concept is an umbrella that encompasses different activities related to the creation, organization, structuring, storage, preservation and sharing of data. That is why projects that receive fundings from the European Commission require the development of a Data Management Plan (DMP), and the deposit of data following the FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse) to increase the efficiency and transparency of research through the rapid dissemination of results and facilitate their reuse.
POLICY AND TRAINING AT IBEC
- Research data management policy (PDF):
General framework for the management of the research data produced by IBEC. The policy intends to reaffirm the institution’s commitment with open science, specifically in making its research data as open as possible and as closed as necessary, following FAIR principles to make it findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable for the whole community.
| IBEC recognizes the fundamental importance of research data and the management of related administrative records in maintaining quality research and scientific integrity, and is committed to pursuing the highest standards, as stated in IBEC’s Code of conduct for research integrity. IBEC adheres to the CERCA Data Management Strategy, approved on June 3, 2020, with which this Research Data Management Policy is aligned. IBEC acknowledges that correct and easily retrievable research data are the foundation of and integral to every research project. They are necessary for the verification, defence and protection of research processes and results. Research Data Management (RDM) policies are highly valuable to current and future researchers. Research data have a long-term value for research and academia, with the potential for widespread use in society. To ensure this, research data should follow FAIR principles and be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. | |
| IBECs Research Data Management Policy |
- Guide: managing research data in IBEC research groups (PDF).
- Training on Research Data Management at IBEC (PDF):
- 2022: Workshop on Data Management (OS workshops series), presentation (PDF).
TOOLS FOR IBEC STAFF
Repositories:
- IBECs Institutional Research Data Repository:
CORA (Catalan Open Research Area). Repositori de Dades de Recerca
CORA. Research Data Repository (RDR) is a federated and multidisciplinary data repository developed and maintained by the Consorci de Serveis Universitaris de Catalunya (CSUC), that allows Catalan universities, CERCA research centers and other entities that carry out research, to publish research datasets in FAIR mode and following the EOSC guidelines.
- RECOLECTA:
RECOLECTA, or Collector of Open Science, is the national aggregator of open access repositories. All Spanish digital infrastructures in which research results are published and / or deposited in open access are grouped together on this platform. Was created in 2007 as a result of the collaboration between the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and the Network of University Libraries (REBIUN) of the CRUE.
- Zenodo:
A catch-all repository for EC funded research. CERN, an OpenAIRE partner and pioneer in open source, open access and open data, provided this capability and Zenodo was launched in May 2013.
- re3Data:
Re3data is a global registry of research data repositories that covers research data repositories from different academic disciplines. It includes repositories that enable permanent storage of and access to data sets to researchers, funding bodies, publishers, and scholarly institutions.
Data Management Plan (DMP):
- eiNa (CORA):
Given the requirement of funding bodies to draw up data management plans and publish research data openly, a working group of ‘Consorci de Serveis Universitaris de Catalunya’ (CSUC) was created to establish a framework for universities to define a research data management strategy. This tool is an adaptation of the DMPOnline from the british Digital Curation Centre (DCC).
- Argos (OpenAire):
ARGOS is the joint effort of OpenAIRE and EUDAT to deliver an open platform for Data Management Planning that addresses FAIR and Open best practices and assumes no barriers for its use and adoption.
FAIR principles:
- FAIRSharing:
FAIRsharing is an informative and educational resource that describes and interlinks community-driven standards, databases, repositories and data policies. Article about it https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-019-0080-8