Curtin Research Data Collection

Background

Curtin University Library utilises Research Data Australia (RDA), a portal for finding and accessing Australian research datasets, to provide access to the Curtin Research Data Collection. The Collection is stored on centralised Curtin storage under the joint custodianship of Digital & Technology Solutions (DTS) and the Library.

Purpose

The objective of the Curtin Research Data Collection is to enable Curtin researchers to openly share their data, and fulfil the requirements of publishers and funding agencies’ data sharing policies.

The Collection supports Curtin University’s Research Data and Primary Materials Policy, which encourages best practice in data management, and the FAIR access to Australian Research policy statement.

Who can deposit

The Library accepts Research Data submission from:

1. Former and current Curtin University staff and research project groups;
2. Former and current Curtin University Higher Degree by Research students;
3. External individuals/organisations who collaborate with Curtin research staff and students.

Data for inclusion in the Collection

The Research Data Collection can include any data originating from research conducted at Curtin University.

Data includes, but is not limited to:

• data in any format;
• analysis of physical samples e.g. geochronology of minerals;
• experimental or laboratory data (not including working data);
• simulations generated from test models;
• derivations or compilations e.g. text and data mining, databases, 3D models;
• photographs and images;
• audio and videos;
• research data developed for and supporting a Higher Degree by Research thesis;
• software;
• web services.

Curtin researchers can deposit their Research Data by completing the Curtin Research Data Collection submission form.

Inclusion criteria

In order for Curtin University Library to include the data in the Research Data Collection, it must fulfil the below essential criteria.

Affiliated

At least one of the dataset aggregators must be a staff member or student of Curtin University.

Discoverable

Library staff will create and assign digital object identifiers (DOIs) to all datasets using the Australian Research Data Commons’ Cite My Data service. Depositors must provide datasets with at least a minimum degree of descriptive metadata. Curtin University Library does not collect data where there is an existing DOI.

All Curtin researchers must provide their Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) for inclusion in the metadata record describing the dataset. External individuals should provide their ORCID, but may be excused under exceptional circumstances.

Accessible

Curtin researchers depositing their dataset must have appropriate copyright and licensing clearances to do so, in particular when the dataset is a derivation or compilation.

The dataset must be openly accessible on the web or through mediated access by Curtin University or its representatives. All datasets require a clear licence explaining reuse conditions. The Library encourage the least restrictive options for re-usability (e.g. CC BY).

Persistent

A DOI is permanent, so the dataset must be made available without any time limitations. A time embargo may be requested on submission. If a dataset is withdrawn, the DOI will be redirected to a placeholder landing page explaining that the dataset has been withdrawn.

An archival copy of the dataset must be stored on centralised Curtin storage under the joint custodianship of Digital & Technology Solutions (DTS) and the Library.

Exceptions

In some instances, these criteria may not be appropriate. For example, extremely large datasets may need specialised storage. Any exceptions to the above criteria must be negotiated with the Library.

For more information, please contact ResearchData@curtin.edu.au