What is data preservation?
Data preservation involves converting your data to a preservation format and storing it within a special preservation repository where it will be actively stewarded—managed and migrated as formats change.
When you deposit a tabular data file (e.g., CSV, Excel, SPSS, RData) in the CORA.RDR, the repository will automatically convert your data into a format that increases the likelihood that it can be preserved.
Why should I keep data?
You are legally required to keep research data for a period of time. It is also a good idea because you may want to use the data again in the future, promote it for use by other researchers, or need it to verify your results. Some publishers ask for access to data.
Data retention can be determined by a number of factors. Some things to consider include contractual requirements of funding bodies, legal requirements to retain or discard data, as well as best practices in your field.
Which data should be preserved?
It is rarely feasible to preserve all data generated during a research project. Focus instead on data that is unique or difficult to replicate as data fit for preservation. If you are receiving federal funding then you also need to preserve the data which is needed to validate your research findings.
Some criteria you can use when selecting the data for long-term preservation
- Type of data (raw, processed) and ease of generation
- Relevance of content to others
- Ease of reuse of the format by others
- Data linked to a publication
- Investigation verification
- Time available
- Available financial resources
