Where Can I Store My Research Data?

Secure Options for Longer Term Storing of Project Data

Data repositories are a secure option for longer-term data sharing and storage. Generally, repositories are not meant to serve as active storage for work in progress. There are several tools available to help you determine which type of repository might best suit your needs.

The Data Storage Finder is an interactive tool to help you review features and details about storage options available at the University of Toronto.

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The University of Toronto Libraries have developed a quick guide that provides an overview of the three main types of repositories. The guide provides a decision tree to learn about major data repositories used by Canadian researchers.

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This session recording describes the use of data repositories for long-term storage and sharing of research data. Important considerations are discussed when choosing a repository as well as the support services available at U of T.

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Commonly Used Repositories

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Upcoming Webinars: Depositing Research Data in the University of Toronto Dataverse (Borealis)

In this session, participants will learn how to organize and publish research data in the University of Toronto Dataverse, U of T’s institutional data repository hosted by Borealis. Through a live demo, participants will learn how to organize research data for deposit, upload and publish a dataset, and add appropriate metadata in the data repository.

April 4, 2024, 12:10pm – 1:30pm
Session & Registration Details

Borealis, formerly Dataverse, is a research data repository for University of Toronto faculty, students and staff. Researchers can choose to share their data or restrict acccess, as well as discover and reuse the data produced by other researchers.

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The Federated Research Data Repository is a national platform to find and share research datasets from researchers across Canada.

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Multidisciplinary Repositories

Other commonly used multidisciplinary repositories include: Zenodo, Figshare 
and Dryad.

People sitting around a table with research data

In some cases, a discipline-specific repository may be the best option for your longer-term storage. To find a discipline-specific repository, you can search the Registry of Research Data Repositories.

Diane Horton assistant professors, computer science with two people

What Special Considerations Might Be Required?

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Several research activities conducted at, or under the auspices of, the University of Toronto require a human ethics protocol review and must be approved by an REB before the start of the research project.

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Confidential information in research should be protected from loss, destruction, or unauthorized access. The University of Toronto has prepared confidentiality principles that should be followed along with other applicable requirements and conditions.

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Researchers must ensure security frameworks and guidelines are implemented and follow the institutional Data Classification levels and associated actions under the Information Security Standard.