Open Data

Learning and adopting open research practices like version control, reproducible code, and code/data sharing make you not only a better researcher but a more efficient one.Dr David Wilkinson, PhD Graduate 2020, The University of Melbourne.

Managing data

Making data open can and must be done ethically and appropriately. There are various factors and options to consider, especially when working with sensitive datasets. It is best to start thinking about these things early on. Some approaches include:

• integrating open data into your research data management planning;
• collecting as little sensitive information as possible, and only if it is strictly necessary for your research;
• considering whether anonymised or aggregated versions of your dataset can be shared openly;
• being mindful of Indigenous data sovereignty and the CARE principles;
• building consent to share your data into your participant consent forms; and,
• considering different models of data sharing, such as mediated or restricted access, if fully open data is not suitable for your dataset.

To learn more about research data management and open data, see the online, self-paced Managing Data @Melbourne modules.

Managing Data @Melbourne

Making data open

The best way to make your data accessible is to publish it in a repository. Data and digital materials can be published and shared so they are open and accessible or published in a way that is less open.

Restrictions on some of your research materials and data may prevent you from sharing them in full. Files can be placed under embargo or stored outside the repository in a secure location. To find out about publishing and sharing data with limited or restricted access visit pathways to publishing data on the Digital Stewardship website.

Making data open using Melbourne Figshare

The University has a data repository where you can publish data: Melbourne Figshare. You can sign in to Melbourne Figshare using your University credentials.

Melbourne Figshare is an institutional data repository that enables staff and graduate research students at the University to store, manage, publish and share digital materials. It allows data, non-traditional research outputs (NTROs), and other supplementary research materials to be easily cited and discovered. Materials uploaded to Melbourne Figshare are kept locally on University-managed storage infrastructure.

Materials published in Melbourne Figshare can be shared at the appropriate level of openness:

• Public, for materials that can be shared openly. Digital files are shareable, downloadable and reusable.
• Temporarily embargoed, for materials that will be shared openly in the future, but cannot be shared openly at the present time.
• Permanently embargoed, for materials that cannot be shared publicly online. Information about the assets can be published either to facilitate mediated access or so the output can be cited.
• Private link, for materials that are either under a permanent or temporary embargo, or are unpublished, but need to be shared privately with a supervisor, peer reviewer or collaborator.

Melbourne Figshare

Making data open using a discipline repository

It may be most strategic for you to publish your data in an external discipline-specific data repository, where it will be found by other researchers in your field.

You may already be aware of prominent data repositories in your area of study. Your colleagues or your supervisor might also be able to point you towards suitable repositories.

Suitable discipline-specific repositories can also be found by consulting registries of data repositories, such as re3data.org or the FAIRsharing catalogue of databases.

Further support

The Digital Stewardship (Research) team provides advice, support, consultations and training in research data stewardship and management, open research and data publication, and the long-term preservation of digital materials.