Archival & Open data sharing

FRDR

Read more about FRDR

Service Paragraphs

Description

The Federated Research Data Repository (FRDR) is a National Data repository. Any researcher affiliated with a Canadian institution can deposit data into FRDR. The platform can efficiently ingest datasets of any size, and preservation processing is done automatically. Data professionals from the Portage Network and institutions across Canada work with researchers to curate and approve deposited items. FRDR also provides powerful functionality to search for Canadian research data. The search tool aggregates metadata from numerous repositories.

Security

FRDR should not be used to store medium or high risk data. Data from research with human participants must be de-identified or anonymized before upload.

Storage Available

1TB by default, more available upon request

Cost

Free

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Regular backups and geographically distributed storage for research data. FRDR aims for secure repository storage for a minimum of 10 years after deposit

Data hosting location

Data storage is spread across multiple Compute Canada Federation hosting sites.

Example use case

FRDR is designed to provide a repository platform for all Canadian researchers. FRDR is an excellent choice for depositing large research datasets, and provides curation, discovery, and preservation services.

Website

https://www.frdr-dfdr.ca/

Contact

Email support@frdr-dfdr.ca for help directly or contact us at rdmgmt@mcmaster.ca for help getting started.

How to get started

Documentation on how to deposit data can be found on the FRDR webpage.

Technical Complexity

Medium

Access protocol

Web portal, data transfer uses Globus.

Summary

Find and Share Canadian Research Data

McMaster based custom solution

Read more about McMaster based custom solution

Service Paragraphs

Description

McMaster staff can work with you to distill your needs and find or build a solution that matches. Does your project have special ethical, legal, or commercial requirements? Are you working with an Indigenous community? Does your data need special security provisions? We can help to ensure your data is securely stored and backed up, and that all special requirements are met.

Security

Variable.

Storage Available

Potentially unlimited

Cost

Variable. No cost for consultations.

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Variable.

Data hosting location

Canada, unless otherwise required.

Example use case

Complex projects that require special treatment precluding the use of commercial storage platforms.

Website

Visit our RDM website at library.mcmaster.ca/services/rdm

Contact

How to get started

Our work starts with an initial consultation where we will discuss your needs and see if there is an available platform that can meet them. If not, we will discuss how to build the custom solution for your project.

Technical Complexity

Low - High

Access protocol

Variable.

Summary

Github

Read more about Github

Service Paragraphs

Description

Github is a website offering storage and collaboration tools for software development, based on the version control system Git. It provides access control and several collaboration features such as bug tracking, feature requests, task management, continuous integration and wikis for every project.

Security

Repositories can be made secure with user access limited to only approved users.

Storage Available

500 MB per repository, more with Git Large File Storage

Cost

Free

File size limits

25 MB via web, 100 MB via command line

Backup details

Github runs on Git which tracks changes to all files in a project (repository). Repositories can be downloaded and backed up manually or using another storage system.

Data hosting location

Data is stored in the USA. Code may be archived to other locations as part of special projects.

Example use case

Github is a great option for writing and storing software code. Version control is a huge advantage when working on software independently and collaboratively.

Website

Github website: https://github.com/

Contact

Contact rdmgmt@mcmaster for help getting started on Github

How to get started

Anyone can make a free Github account online.

Technical Complexity

Medium for the desktop app, High for the command line interface.

Access protocol

Web portal, command line, desktop app for Mac, Windows, and Linux as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS

Summary

Distributed version control system for software code

OSF

Read more about OSF

Service Paragraphs

Description

OSF is a free, open platform to support your research and enable collaboration.

Security

Transfer of data to OSF storage is encrypted with SSL. Data is not encrypted at rest. Medium and High risk data must be manually encrypted before being uploaded to OSF. Care should be taken to ensure Medium or High risk data is NOT uploaded to public projects.

Storage Available

5 GB for private projects or components, 50 GB for public projects or components. Other storage services can be linked to increase storage.

Cost

OSF accounts are free to anyone.

File size limits

5 GB

Backup details

OSF Storage uses Google Cloud for both active and archival storage. File backups are hosted in regional coldline buckets, and there are twice daily backup jobs performed.

Data hosting location

Data is stored in Canada by default but user information, wiki content, comments, etc are stored in the USA.

Example use case

OSF is an amazing tool for open science. OSF is an excellent platform for research collaboration. Pages can be created for research labs, allowing for the creation of lab wikis and documents, organizing all lab materials in one place. Project pages for individual research projects are great for collaboration, with version control and common file access. OSF also can be used to make a great academic profile for students, with pages for each research project or interest.

Website

OSF website

Contact

Contact rdmgmt@mcmaster.ca for help getting started on OSF

How to get started

Anyone can make an OSF account by going to https://osf.io/register McMaster does not currently have an institutional membership so institutional sign in is not available.

Technical Complexity

Medium

Access protocol

Web portal

Summary

Open platform for collaborative research

McMaster Dataverse

Read more about McMaster Dataverse

Service Paragraphs

Description

McMaster Dataverse a collection within Borealis, the Canadian Dataverse Repository. McMaster Dataverse is our Institutional Data Repository, a place for researchers to share and archive their research data. Dataverse is an open source repository software developed at Harvard which provides secure access controls, licensing, version management, data citation, DOI minting, and more.

Security

Dataverse should not be used to store medium or high risk data. In some instances, data being placed on Dataverse should be kept locked with only metadata available. Other researchers who wish to re-use that data could then sign a data sharing agreement before obtaining access.

Storage Available

Cost

No cost for users.

File size limits

2.5 GB

Backup details

Borealis makes backup copies of the data you upload regularly in the event of a server or system malfunction, malicious attack, or other technical issue. All datasets receive monthly integrity checks in combination with safe storage to protect against data loss and corruption, as outlined in the Borealis Preservation Plan.

Data hosting location

Data is stored in the Ontario Library Research Cloud (OLRC). The OLRC is a community cloud storage network comprised of five storage nodes located at the University of Toronto, the University of Guelph, the University of Ottawa, York University, and Queen’s University.

Example use case

Dataverse is a great place for depositing data for sharing, re-use, or preservation once a research project is complete. Many journals and funders now require sharing of data.

Website

Dataverse website

Contact

rdm@mcmaster.ca

How to get started

Researchers can login to Dataverse using their MacID and password. They can then upload a dataset which goes through a curation review process by McMaster RDM staff.

Technical Complexity

Medium

Access protocol

Web portal

Summary

Store, share, publish and discover research data

Subscribe to Archival & Open data sharing