Optometry Digital Literacy Toolkit

Preserve and Share Research Data

Data preservation looks beyond the lifespan of the current research project and seeks to make research data available long-term.

This allows for reuse (given appropriate sharing) and will also be of benefit if the outcomes of the research are queried at a later date.

Additionally, some research grants, institutional policies, publisher agreements and government legislation require data to be preserved. This makes it worthwhile understanding some of the important points associated with it!

Deakin University's page 'Where should I publish my data?' includes details of several destinations that could be considered for sharing research data, including Figshare.

Figshare is a repository where users can make all of their research outputs available in a citable,shareable and discoverable manner

Figshare allows for easy sharing and discovery of research data across the world.

Sharing research data is supported by institutions across the academic community.

Deakin University's Publication and Dissemination of Research Procedure (clause 17) supports the dissemination of research data as freely as practicable, subject to privacy, contractual and intellectual property requirements.

Additionally, the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018) states:

“Research data should be made available for use by other researchers unless prevented by ethical, privacy or confidentiality matters"

Considerations for Sharing Research Data

Sharing your research data can be useful, however you should consider the following:

Consent

Do you have consent from research participants (e.g.: patients, students) to share the data you have collected from them? If this was part of the original research plan then this will be easier than trying to obtain permission after the fact.

Publication

Do you want to publish the results of your research somewhere? If so, you may wish to limit or prevent the sharing of your data until publication opportunities have been explored.

Sensitivity

If the data is sensitive then it may be appropriate to share only a description of the data and not the data itself. Alternatively, if the data is put through a process of de-identification then sharing may be acceptable.

Data description

Shared data is only as useful as far as the context for it is clear. Good descriptions make the context clear.

Access conditions

Making clear the licence (i.e.: terms and conditions) associated with shared data is very important. This helps you maintain control of the data so that it is not used in ways that you are uncomfortable with and that you are appropriately credited when it is used. Creative Commons licences are one example of easy to use licences which may apply.

Further Help

The Optometry Digital Literacy Toolkit was developed by Deakin University Library.
Please get in touch if you have any questions or feedback.