Why share research data?
Beyond the official goals and requirements, there are many good reasons to share research data:
- When data is made available, researchers receive a large database to build on, which in turn can contribute to scientific progress.
- Open access data should be verified and quality ensured. This can contribute to improving research, and to strengthening the credibility of the research.
- Sharing of research data that is retrievable and reusuable makes researchers do research even more visible and attractive for research collaborations, both in Norway and internationally.
- By making research data available and easily found, we avoid that the same data collection is funded and carried out multiple times.
- Sharing of research data can be useful for students, for example by providing master's students within certain subject areas the opportunity to work with relevant data.
- Other actors than researchers can see the new areas of use and make use of the research data for value creation and innovation.
- Open access data can contribute to strengthening public administration and contribute to improving community services.
- Transparency is important in the evaluation of research. Norwegian authorities and other research actors are increasingly in agreement that research and research activities shall be evaluated on a greater basis than what is laid out by the norwegian publication indicator, including considering how research is carried out in line with FAIR-principles.
Where can one archive, make accessible or find research data?
In line with national guidelines and goals, Ostfold University College's goal is that all research data that is produced by University College shall be as open as possible and as closed as necessary. To receive this when it comes to research data we have developed and collected a number of usefull resources that you can read more about below.
Data handling/management
In order for research data to be made openly available it is important with good data management during the whole project, from the planning phase to the end of the project. Read more about data management data management.
DataverseNO
Ostfold University College has enteredd into an institutional agreement with the data archive DataverseNO, where all academic employees at the University College are welcome to archive and make their data sets available. Read more about use of use of DataverseNO.
Individual researchers stand free to choose which services for data sharing they wish to use. Use the search engine Registry of Research Data Depositories in order to fnd a relevant archive. As there are many various criteria to think on when it comes to choosing a repository, it can be a good idea to first research OpenAir resource pages in order to get help with this. You can also contact the library's open research team.
Laws and rules around the sharing of research data
Data that has been produced in collaboration with different types of actors has to be treated differently when it comes to open publishing. Particularly if the data contains personal data, it has be to treated with caution and in accordance with the laws. Read more about the different laws and regulations that affect data sharing.
For research data that primarily contains person data, utilizing Sikt's services is recommended for this.
Find research data
At the library we have made an overview of the various resources for where to find published research data.
Other resources
Microdata.no
Microdata.no is a service prepared by Statistisk sentralbyrå in partnership with Sikt where it is possible to process and analyze all available registry variables in an anonymized interface with built-in privacy.
Read more about Microdata.no, and apply for access by contacting the open research team at the library.
Prospero
Employees of Ostfold University College have access to Prospero, which is an interntional database where it is possible to register preprocessing (protocols) for systematic overviews. Registration in Prospero makes it easier to avoid duplication and the possibility of reporting bias is reduced. Prospero makes it possible to compare the completed summary with what was initially planned in the protocol. This is a tool that can ensure transparency in the entire research process, from beginning to end.