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Data Storage: Data Storage at OSU

Storage options for research data during the project and after completion.

Project Data Storage for Researchers and Students

Storage of research data while the project is in progress should be considered as part of the data management plan before the project is initiated.  Some factors that will affect which storage option is most satisfactory will include:

  • Data file size and type
  • Data security needs
  • File sharing with collaborators
  • Data back up needs
  • Funder requirements

One terabyte (1 TB) of storage is available with each OSU (okstate) email on Microsoft OneDrive.  OneDrive is best for document storage and allows shared access for other research team members.  Data storage can also be provided on servers administered by OSU IT.  Contact the IT support partner for your college or department to ask what is available.  For large data sets or special data hosting requirements, contact the OSU High Performance Computing Center to discuss both free and paid options.

Long Term Data Storage options

Storage platform When to use

Open Research Oklahoma (ORO)

OSU's institutional repository for storing completed data sets that are open and publicly available. Individual files deposited in ORO should not exceed 5 GB in size. Growth in the total size of a collection of files associated with a project and deposited into ORO normally should not exceed 50 GB per year.  Data sets that are stored in other publicly accessible repositories but support publications uploaded to ORO can be linked with metadata records and persistent digital identifiers.

Open Science Framework (OSF)

 OSF is a free, publicly accessible project management system.  Data associated with ongoing projects can be stored via OSF for sharing and collaboration.  However, data storage within OSF is limited to 5 GB for private projects and components so OSF may not be appropriate for long term storage of project data.  Storage limits for public projects is 50 GB.  Add-ons such as GitHub, Google Drive and OneDrive increase storage capacity.  The OSU Library regularly conducts workshops on the use of OSF for project management.
Discipline specific repositories Various guidelines for storage options, file sizes, and policies. Discipline specific repositories may be recommended by funders or publishers.  Funder websites may provide suggestions for appropriate repositories or they may be identified by searching registries such as re3data.org.  
Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Easy collaboration and file sharing across the cloud for large data sets, but may have issues with security, archiving, and privacy policies and controls.
High Performance Computing Center Large data sets (1TB or above), complex storage needs.
General Repositories Subject independent, it may be necessary to deposit data in general repositories when no discipline specific repository can be identified.  It may also be useful to use a platform such as Figshare or Dryad to store data for submission to a double blind peer review process prior to publication.