Guideline 17
Archiving
Researchers back up research data and results made publicly available, as well as the central materials on which they are based and the research software used, by adequate means according to the standards of the relevant subject area, and retain them for an appropriate period of time. Where justifiable reasons exist for not archiving particular data, researchers explain these reasons. HEIs and non-HEI research institutions ensure that the infrastructure necessary to enable archiving is in place.
Explanation
When scientific and academic findings are made publicly available, the research data (generally raw data) on which they are based are generally archived in an accessible and identifiable manner for a period of ten years at the institution where the data were produced or in cross-location repositories. This practice may differ depending on the subject area. In justified cases, shorter archiving periods may be appropriate; the reasons for this are described clearly and comprehensibly. The archiving period begins on the date when the results are made publicly available.
Comments
- Archiving of research software
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Development of research software and its archiving
Appropriate version management systems should be used in the development and archiving of research software.
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Maintaining storage capacity
Long-term storage of research data
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Further links on archiving
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Archiving a pre-retirement or post-retirement research legacy – an example from the geosciences
Material should be saved from destruction if possible.
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Archiving data in the earth sciences and environmental sciences
Best practice example – PANGAEA
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Electronic laboratory journal and repository in chemistry
The possibilities of an electronic laboratory journals linked to a repository in the context of chemistry are illustrated as examples.
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Enabling the availability of primary data and archiving it
Numerical simulations can generate very large quantities of data, so it is not always expedient to make the direct results – i.e. the primary data – available in full for the purpose of verifiability and reuse.
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Handling samples in the geosciences
Samples should be archived and stored for future use whenever possible so as to ensure that the material can be used as widely as possible by the scientific community.
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Maintaining storage capacity in the geosciences
Long-term storage of research data
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Positive example of the utilisation of older data in the geosciences
Example from Saxony
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Software development and handling research data in mathematics
Appropriate accessibility is important in terms of the verifiability of research work in mathematics where self-developed software and data are key factors.
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Storage capacity and management of sample material in the geosciences
Examples of best practice
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Archiving in the life sciences
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Archiving of samples
In some areas of engineering science, samples have a particularly important role to play.
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Databases and repositories commonly used in mathematics
In mathematics, it is common practice to use various databases and repositories that are intended for specific application purposes.
The requirement to archive research software covers a range of aspects. Practical guides issued in connection with the NFDI provide support in this area.