A data repository (sometimes called research data archive) is an electronic library for storing, managing and sharing research data. There are generic and discipline-specific data repositories.
Discipline-specific repositories accept data from only one research discipline or area, or data of only one specific type, while generic repositories accept data of all types and from all disciplines.
Some repositories are managed on a national level, some are institutional, and some are independent entities. National repositories are focused on research produced in a specific country. Institutional repositories serve the needs of a specific higher education or research institution. These repositories are often managed by the library of the institution. Independent repositories are not affiliated neither with a specific institution nor with a specific country. They are usually run by a non-profit organisation, a business or a consortium of several institutions.
Examples of repositories belonging to each of the types described can be found here.
Finding a suitable repository for your data
When looking for a repository, the first thing to do is checking the requirements of your funder or publisher. They might have some specific requirements regarding how and where you should share your data. For example, some publishers provide a list of recommended repositories.
If there are no particular requirements on the part of the funder or the publisher, the Vilnius University Guidelines for Managing Research Data (text available only in Lithuanian) recommend that the data be published in the National Open Access Research Data Archive (MIDAS).
If you prefer publishing your data through a discipline-specific repository and are looking for one, the re3data global registry of research data repositories might be a useful source of information.
A reliable data repository should fulfil the following requirements:
- it should provide contact information in case you have any questions or encounter technical problems;
- the organisation running the repository should be able to ensure the sustainability of the repository for at least 5-10 years;
- it should allow you to describe your data with detailed metadata;
- it should allow you to indicate the conditions under which your data can be (re)used or have a clearly stated default licencing policy for the content published in the repository;
- it should allow you to assign a persistent identifier (e.g. DOI) to your data.
It is recommended to use certified repositories. There are three data repository certification systems applied worldwide: CoreTrustSeal (CTS), Nestor Seal and ISO 16363 certification.
Need some advice? Questions on topics related to research data management can be directed to Dr Gintė Medzvieckaitė from the Scientific Information and Data Division. Scholarly Communication and Information Centre The Scientific Information and Data Division also offers training events on topics related to Open Science and research data management. Please contact the Head of Scientific Information and Data Division Gitana Naudužienė if you would like to request a training activity in English (a group of 5 or more attendees is required).
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