Take research data management seriously right from the start.

Data management planning

• An introduction to the creation of data management plans is provided by Digital Curation Center (DCC).
• Basics about data management plans

How to deal with research data in day-to-day work.

Organization of data

• Several people (e.g. workgroups) can store their files in a group drive . The access rights to it can be set individually. Snapshots allow access to older file versions. Additionally, a daily backup is provided.
• Version control of data in FusionForge: Different versions of data can be stored via a version control system.
• In SharePoint , files and lists can be stored easily and provided with automatic workflows. A Wiki function is also available.
• Backup - protection of files against loss : The data is stored in two copies on tape systems at ZIH. Old versions can be restored by the user himself.
• The Treuhandstelle of the TU Dresden manages personal data and enables the separation of personal and research data.

Collaborative work

The ZIH offers several services for the secure exchange of data, e.g. during collaboration in a research project.

• Datashare - Sync&Share of files (secure alternative to dropbox) with browser-based access or clients for all major operating systems

• Group drives - share large amounts of data with other TU members or guests via a shared central storage space that can also be accessed from PCs and laptops

• SharePoint - Web-based platform for group/project collaboration (file management - including online editing with MS Office, task management, notes and much more)

• FusionForge - Web-based collaboration platform for software development environments (version control, bug tracker, wiki, file releases)

Responsible use of research data

Meaning of "free" licenses

If research data is published and shared, it can be published under a license that clarifies the terms of use. An overview of possible "free" licenses for research data can be found here.

Describe research data in a comprehensible way.

Share data

Data can be shared with others by archiving or publishing them in a repository.

Find the right data repository for your research field

As a first step, we recommend searching for a suitable repository specific to your research discipline, as these are usually established and the data are typically described with metadata suited to your research. To search for a suitable repository, you can use the directory re3data.org (Registry of Research Data Repositories).

OPARA - research data repository of the TU Dresden

The ZIH of the TU Dresden together with the TU Bergakademie Freiberg is running the repository OPARA (Open Access Repository and Archive). In OPARA, research data can be archived and published (including citation capability through a DOI). OPARA is open to all researchers of both institutions, regardless of their discipline.

Making research data available on a long-term basis

Archiving at the TU Dresden

The ZIH currently offers two archive services.

Intermediate archive

The intermediate archive is used for archiving data that is to be kept within the scope of project durations (e.g. 3 years).

OPARA - research data repository of the TU Dresden

The ZIH of the TU Dresden together with the TU Bergakademie Freiberg is running the repository OPARA (Open Access Repository and Archive). In OPARA, research data can be archived (e.g. in the sense of the TUD guideline on good scientific practice for 10 years) and published (including citation capability by a DOI). OPARA is open to all researchers of both institutions, regardless of their discipline.

Find the right research data repository

In some cases, subject-specific repositories have existed for years, specializing in the storage and publication of a single discipline. The re3data - Registry of Research Data Repositories offers an overview of existing research data repositories.