Research Software
Best Practices for Research Software
Research software supports data collection, analysis, processing, visualization, modelling, and collaboration throughout the research lifecycle. Researchers should review institutional, unit-based, and national software offerings before purchasing software independently.
When selecting software, researchers should consider data sensitivity, licensing requirements, collaboration needs, interoperability, and long-term access to research outputs. Using institutionally supported software can reduce costs, improve support options, and help protect research data.
Institutional and National Research Software Offerings
These resources help researchers identify institutionally and nationally supported software for research. Additional software may also be available through individual units.
General Research Software
University of Toronto Libraries
A searchable catalogue of software licensed by the University of Toronto, including eligibility, access, pricing, and support information.
University of Toronto Libraries
Access to software and support for GIS, qualitative data analysis, textual analysis, and quantitative analysis.
Digital Research Alliance of Canada
A directory of research software available through the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, including information on functionality, programming languages, and disciplinary applications.
Academic, Research and Collaborative Technologies
University of Toronto
A web-based computing environment that provides access to Jupyter, JupyterLab, and RStudio for teaching, analysis, and smaller-scale computational research.
Data Collection Tools
Academic, Research and Collaborative Technologies
University of Toronto
REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a free and secure web application for building and managing research databases and surveys. It is designed for research data collection workflows and supports data classified up to Level 4.
Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration
University of Toronto
Microsoft Forms supports the rapid creation of surveys, questionnaires, and polls for simpler data collection needs. It is currently suitable for data classified up to Level 3. Collected data is automatically converted into charts and graphs for quick analysis and interpretation.
Collaboration and File Transfer Tools
University of Toronto
A secure file transfer service for sharing files internally or externally, including data classified up to Level 4. Intended for file transfer rather than long-term storage.
Digital Research Alliance of Canada
A high-speed data transfer service for moving and sharing large datasets across research computing environments and with collaborators.
Guidance and Considerations for Research Software
Expand for further guidance and resources.
Determine the sensitivity of your research data before selecting software tools and services.
Information Security
University of Toronto
Groups the university’s data into four levels based on importance, sensitivity and potential for misuse. Researchers can use this standard to determine the sensitivity of their data and the safeguards required to protect it.
Information Security
University of Toronto
A tool that helps researchers determine the appropriate data classification level using research-specific examples.
Ensure research software practices comply with applicable ethics approvals, agreements, and confidentiality obligations.
Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation
University of Toronto
Guidance on when research requires Research Ethics Board (REB) approval and how to obtain ethics clearance for studies involving human participants.
Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation
University of Toronto
Information on research agreements and contracts that may be required when sharing data or collaborating with external partners.
Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation
University of Toronto
Guidance on the retention, protection, and secure destruction of confidential and personally identifiable information used in research.
Keep software and devices up to date to reduce cybersecurity risks and protect research data.
Information Security Handbook
University of Toronto
Guidance on maintaining software and devices through routine updates and patching to reduce cybersecurity risks to research data.
Training and Resources on Research Software
Explore learning resources and recorded sessions related to research software.
Workshops and Courses
- Upcoming Workshops (Map and Data Library)
Upcoming workshops on data analysis and institutionally licensed software. - Tutorials (Map and Data Library)
A library of self-paced tutorials and past workshops on programming, data analysis, data visualization, text and data mining and more.
Documentation and Guides
- Alliance Wiki (Digital Research Alliance of Canada)
Includes pages on sharing data on DRAC clusters and sharing data with Globus. - Information Security Handbook (Information Security)
Includes guidance on data collection and survey management, passwords, and sending or transferring data. - Data Visualization Guide (University of Toronto Libraries)
Guidance on using data visualization tools and best practices to explore, analyze, and communicate research findings.
Get Support for Research Software
- Digital Research Alliance of Canada software and services: Select the appropriate email and follow the guidelines listed on this page.
- Institutionally licensed software, eligibility, and access: lic.software@utoronto.ca.
- Map and Data Library software and support: Submit a request through this form.
- Research software cybersecurity assessments (Level 3 or 4 data): research.infosec@utoronto.ca.