Solutions for Data Sharing and Storage: A Comparative Analysis of Data Repositories

Abstract

Research data management is an essential process in scientific research activities. It includes monitoring data from the moment it is created until it is deposited in a repository so that later it can be accessed and reused by others. Sharing and reuse are the last steps in this process. It is essential to ensure that the data stored in digital repositories is well preserved in the long term and that its adequate interpretation and future reuse is guaranteed. Following this debate, questions arise related to the interoperability of systems and the suitability of platforms. In this study, we study how data management platforms can solve the problems associated with description, preservation, and access in digital media, making their usefulness evident. We identify some of the most relevant repository platforms in the scope of research data management, offering the scientific community an aggregating view of the various solutions and their main characteristics, thus aiming at a better understanding of them for their appropriate choice.

Images as Metadata: A New Perspective for Describing Research Data

“…In an article we developed in 2022, we carried out a comparative study on the data sharing and storage solutions most used by the scientific community, where we put into perspective eight data repositories used worldwide. In this work, we can verify the specificities of these solutions and prove the lack of solutions for using images as metadata [20].…”

Data sharing in modeling and simulation of biomechanical systems in interdisciplinary environments

“…Due to the lack of standardization in repository features, desirable elements like customization can potentially lead to compatibility issues between repositories, undermining the core FAIR principles. Therefore, while standardization is not TA B L E 2 General characteristics of common data repositories [38,33]. the primary aim of implementing the FAIR principles, careful consideration of repository features, in alignment with the trends of each specific field, significantly impacts the outcomes of the data sharing process…”

“…There are several possible aspects that make an academic data sharing repository desirable. Besides fees, storage, and sustainability (see Table 2), the following features are essential when choosing a data sharing repository [33, 25]. Infrastructure: To support operations, the repository offers basic features such as open‐source tools, local or remote storage options, installation, or service frameworks. Data licensing: To meet legal and ethical standards, the repository offers different license and authorization options to state rights and obligations of each party.…”

“…There are several possible aspects that make an academic data sharing repository desirable. Besides fees, storage, and sustainability (see Table 2), the following features are essential when choosing a data sharing repository [33,25].…”