Thing 3: Data sharing
Data may be shared in many ways. Here are ways that data can be shared and is currently being shared.
Open/Shared/Closed : The world of data
Activity 1: Introduction to 'open', 'shared' and 'closed' data
When we explored Research Data Australia in Thing 3, you may have noticed that not all the data described was available for immediate access. This activity explains why different datasets may have different access conditions.
1. Watch the following 2.50mins video from the Open Data Institute titled Open/Closed/Shared: the world of data.
2. Now click on the following link to the ANDS open data webpage to see a more in-depth view of why data is sometimes open, shared or closed
3. If you have time, go to Research Data Australia portal and try searching for data that is 'open'. Hint: Look for the option to limit your search to data that is Publicly accessible online.
Consider: Why more data isn’t publicly accessible or more ‘open’?
Can you publish and share sensitive data?
Activity 2: Data sharing practices
Repositories are one means by which research data may be shared but in order to get data into repositories, research teams must be willing to publish their data: there are huge differences between data sharing practices by country and by discipline.
1. Take a look at this 2014 infographic from Wiley titled Research Data Sharing Insights [PDF, 2.08MB]. It provides a succinct overview of current data sharing practice and perceptions.
2. Now look closely at the sections titled 'Global Data Sharing Trends' and 'Data Sharing By Discipline'.
Consider: Why do you think there are differences between disciplines and countries - what changes to these statistics would you expect between 2014 and now?
Policies and issues with the management of animal tracking data
Managing sensitive ecological data
Activity 3: Sharing sensitive data
Sharing sensitive data requires careful consideration, but it can be done. Find out how.
Major, familiar, categories of sensitive data are Human data (eg health and personal data, secret or sacred practices), Ecological data (may place vulnerable species at risk) or data of a sensitive project. Given the nature of this type of data, you might expect that it can’t be shared and reused. But in many cases, it can be.
Explore the following examples of published sensitive data:
The above records on Research Data Australia show how sensitive, de-identified data can be safely and openly shared. Click on "Go to Data Provider" to learn more on how you can access the datasets.
How do you share and publish sensitive data?
1. Browse through the ANDS sensitive data webpage.
2. Click on this Sensitive Data Decision Tree image to get an overview of issues and solutions.
3. Follow a couple of the links on the sensitive data page which are of particular interest to you.
4. Review the below policy on management of sensitive ecological data: