Research Data Management

"The University shall be responsible for storage of the research data and materials and related records as stipulated in the Queensland State Archives University Sector Retention and Disposal Schedule and any addition legislative or contractual requirements”. 

This means that the original research data and materials will remain at USC.

USC Research Data and Materials - Procedures

Please contact Beth Crawter, Information Services and Research Coordinator, Library (ecrawter@usc.edu.au) for more information on what needs to be retained by the university.

Alternatively, contact Records Management Services (records@usc.edu.au).

Researchers need to ensure that their research data is secure and retrievable for long term use.  Storing and backing up research data is a critical issue for managing data effectively.   It is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure that their research data are regularly backed-up and stored securely for the life of the project and throughout the minimum retention period.  Research funding bodies and/or collaborative groups often dictate where research data must be stored including institutional, national and international repositories.  The minimum retention period is 5 years from the publication date or the project completion date.

The longevity of research data formats and software versions must be accounted for at the data storage stage.  When selecting file formats consideration must be given to:

• data analysis methods
• discipline-related standards
• software and hardware compatibility and longevity during the data retention period
• preference of proprietary software as opposed to open source software.
   

The UK Data Archive identifies best practice in data storage as:

• Store data in non-proprietary or open standard formats for long-term software readability.

• Copy or migrate data files to new media between two and five years after they were first created, since both optical and magnetic media are subject to physical degradation. 

• Check the data integrity of stored data files at regular intervals. 

• Use a storage strategy, even for a short-term project, with two different forms of storage, e.g. on hard drive and on CD. 

• Create digital versions of paper documentation in PDF/A format for long-term preservation and storage. 

• Organise and clearly label stored data so they are easy to locate and physically accessible. 

• Ensure that areas and rooms for storage of digital or non-digital data are fit for the purpose, structurally sound, and free from the risk of flood and fire.