The DataVault provides long-term storage for research data at the University of Edinburgh. It allows researchers to store data, link it to a record in Pure, optionally receive a DOI, and ensure the data is preserved for compliance and future reuse. The DataVault is not intended for data that will ultimately be made public, data only needing short-term retention, or data where a student owns the copyright.

1. Edinburgh DataVault
Pauline Ward
Research Data Service
University of Edinburgh

2. The DataVault provides long-term storage for
golden-copy data.

3. The DataVault allows data creators at the University of Edinburgh to:
• Store their data safely in the University’s archival storage option;
• Link this data to a record in Pure without having to re-enter any of
the data;
• Optionally, receive a DOI for the data which can be used in
publications and other outputs (on condition the associated Pure
record is publicly accessible);
• Comply with funder and University requirements to preserve
research data for the long-term; and
• Be confident that their data will be there for them to reuse in the
future as and when required.
• Non-personal confidential data can be encrypted before depositing.

4. • Where it is intended that data will ultimately be
made public, they should instead be deposited
either in a suitable disciplinary repository or in
DataShare (http://datashare.is.ed.ac.uk/), an
open access repository for data.
• DataShare deposits may be placed under embargo, so
that files will remain inaccessible temporarily.
• Data needing to be retained only for a short
period.
• Data in which a student owns the copyright.
What is the DataVault not for?

6. Let’s talk about metadata.

7. Testing identified fifteen additional
requirements.
e.g. “System needs to force the depositor to
affirm they agree to the basic terms and
conditions inc that they understand the
university owns the data, they have ensured no
unconsented personal data is being deposited
and that the PI has approved the Pure record.”

8. The DataVault is now in use, and much better
for the testing that was done. Further
development is ongoing.
To be continued…