There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a data repository in which to publish your research data. This page focuses on what factors you should consider when exploring data repository options and the subpages "Generalist Repositories" and "Discipline-Specific Repositories" provide information about a variety of available data repositories.

The National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Open Science released guidance in 2022 entitled "Desirable Characteristics of Data Repositories for Federally Funded Research." This guidance divides repository characteristics into 3 main categories, outlined below, which can be used to assess prospective data repositories.

Organizational Infrastructure

• Free and easy access
• Clear use guidance
• Risk management
• Retention policy
• Long-term organizational sustainability

Digital Object Management

• Unique persistent identifiers
• Metadata
• Curation and quality assurance
• Broad and measured reuse
• Common format
• Provenance

Technology

• Authentication
• Long-term technical sustainability
• Security and integrity

To read the full guidance, visit:

Repository selection will depend on a number of factors, including:

• Funder recommendations or requirements
• Publisher and/or journal recommendations or requirements
• Data characteristics
  • Sensitive data
  • Large volume of data
  • Specific file type(s)
• Access needs
  • Restricted access
  • Open access
• Cost (and available funding)

You can always reach out to Dr. Dani Kirsch, the Research Data Services Librarian, for help in selecting an appropriate data repository!