Research data may be defined as the factual records (e.g. microarray, numerical and textual records, images and sounds, etc.) used as primary sources for research, and that are commonly accepted in the research community as necessary to validate research findings.
For the most part these data are born digital, and stored and managed electronically, making them easy to share, replicate, and combine with other data. However, in order to share and reuse data, they must be created and maintained in a manner consistent with the goal of long-term preservation. This involves active data management throughout the life-cycle of the data, beginning at the time they are first envisioned.
A coordinated and national approach to managing research data in Canada is required in order to derive greater and longer term benefits, both socially and economically, from the extensive public investments that are made in research. CARL supports research data management through collaborative initiatives such as the Portage Network (now part of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada) and the Federated Research Data Repository.
Initiatives and Resources
- Research Data Management (Digital Research Alliance of Canada)
- DMP Assistant
- Federated Research Data Repository
Related Initiatives
Related publications:
- Final Report of the ARL/CARL Joint Task Force on Research Data Services (2021)
- Research Data Management Training Landscape in Canada, by members of the Portage Training Expert Group (2017)
- Multi-Stakeholder Engagement in Research Data Management, paper presented at IATUL Conference by Martha Whitehead and Donna Bourne-Tyson (2016)
- Research Data Discovery and the Scholarly Ecosystem in Canada, by members of the Portage Data Discovery Expert Group, (2016)
