Retaining Your Old Research Data
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This presentation describes a few techniques to improve the odds that you will be able to use your research data 5 or more years into the future
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Retaining Your Old Research Data
- 1. Retaining Your Old Data Kristin Briney, PhD Data Services Librarian
- 4. FUTURE FILE USABILITY Ian, http://www.flickr.com/photos/ian-s/2152798588/ (CC BY-NC-ND)
- 5. Future File Usability • What? – Can you use your files from 10 years ago? – Data needs to be • Accessible • Interpretable • Readable
- 6. Future File Usability • Why? – You may want to use the data in 5 years – PI sometimes keeps data and notes – Prep for data sharing – Per OMB Circular A-110, must retain data at least 3 years post-project • Better to retain for >5 years
- 7. Future File Usability • When? – (As you work on a project) – When you wrap up a project
- 8. Future File Usability • How? – Back up written notes • People always forget this one • Difficult to interpret data without notes • Options – Digitally scan (recommended with digital data) – Photocopies
- 9. Future File Usability • How? – Convert file formats • Can you open digital files from 10 years ago? • Use open, non-proprietary formats that are in wide use – .docx .txt – .xlsx .csv – .jpg .tif • Save a copy in the old format, just in case • Preserve software if no open file format
- 10. Future File Usability • How? – Move to new media • Hardware dies and becomes obsolete – Floppy disks! • Expect average lifetime to be 3-5 years • Keep up with technology
- 11. Future File Usability • How? – Put into a repository – It will preserve data for you – Find a repository in your discipline • databib.org • www.re3data.org • Ask me!
- 12. WHAT TO DO FROM HERE
- 14. Data Services • uwm.edu/libraries/dataservices • Data Services Librarian – Kristin Briney
- 15. Thank You! • This presentation available under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license