Data requirements and Digital Repositories

This workshop will be based upon the DISC-UK DataShare project's "Guide to Data Requirements for Digital Repositories" (in development and to be released at the IASSIST workshop). The guide is intended to be used as a decision making and planning tool for institutions with digital repositories in existence or in development that are considering adding research datasets to their digital collections. It also can help articulate the benefits of sound data management practices as well as the goals of data sharing and long term access. The guide is largely based upon the online OpenDOAR Policy Tool, the OAIS Information model, and the TRAC checklist. It compiles information from and refers to multiple resources and to examples of how some of the requirements have been implemented. The workshop will focus upon each section of the guide covering repository content policies, metadata, file formats, access and reuse of data, submission and administration of data, preservation issues and more. Workshop participants will break up into groups, review a particular section of the guide, choose parameters for a fictional digital repository, and report back on their findings and recommendations. Although the focus is upon social science data, other data types could be considered within the range of requirements covered in the workshop. The workshop will be an opportunity for data librarians and data archivists, repository managers and developers to discuss the implementation of best practices, standards, and strategies as research data make their way into a wide range of digital repositories.