Here we explore various data portals and repositories.
Repositories enable discovery of data by publishing data descriptions ("metadata") about the data they hold - like a library catalogue describes individual materials held in a library. Most repositories provide access to the data itself, but not always. Data portals or aggregators draw together research data records from a number of repositories eg. Research Data Australia (RDA) aggregates records from over 100 Australian research repositories.
1. Click on the following RDA record from the Australian Antarctic Data Centre:
2. Have a close look at the record to see the ways the Australian Antarctic Division has made this record discoverable and accessible. Note how many times this dataset has been cited and how to cite this data. Spend a few minutes exploring RDA:
a.Try browsing by subjects (or searching on a topic of interest)
b. See which institutions contribute metadata records to RDA.
c. Explore a record or two in depth.
What other data repositories exist and how else are Australian researchers sharing their data?
1. re3data is another data portal that lists 1,850 research data repositories including those from Australia.
a. Spend a few minutes exploring re3data:
b. Click on Browse > Browse by subject > click on “Natural Sciences”
c. Explore the range of repositories listed under “Geosciences (including Geography)’>Atmospheric, Science and Oceanography>Oceanography. Can you find one relevant to your research?
d. Click on Browse > By Country > click on Australia in the map
e. There are a surprising number of data repositories listed for Australia. Does this present all the research data repositories Australia has to offer? Is there anything missing?
Consider: one idea for how you think improved discovery of Australia's research data repositories, and the data records they contain, could be achieved.
What makes a "good" data repository? There is much debate about trusted repositories and other ways of evaluating repositories - including data repositories.
Have a look at one or both of the resources below:
The Library facilitates a range of workshops specifically designed to assist research staff and higher degree by research students. All of the Library Research Services workshops are currently being offered in online format due to concerns around COVID-19. Please view our updated workshop page below.
Edith Cowan University acknowledges and respects the Noongar people, who are
the traditional custodians of the land upon which its campuses stand and its programs
operate.
In particular ECU pays its respects to the Elders, past and present, of the Noongar
people, and embrace their culture, wisdom and knowledge.