Index

File format

The file format defines the structure of the data contained in the file. This allows applications to interpret the contents of a file.

Many filenames contain an extension separated from the filename by a period. This declares the file format.

Under the following link you will find details and a list of which file formats are suitable for long-term storage.

Open source

„Open source“ means that the source code is publicly available and the license permits modification and reproduction.
In addition, there are no restrictions on using the source code in other products or services.

Further details are available from the Open Source Initiative.

Cold research data

Cold data are data records that have been finalized and will not be modified. These are usually data that are stored in repositories together with the descriptive metadata (e.g. for publication or archiving). Only cold research data can get a DOI.

Warm research data

Warm data are rarely changed. It is also acceptable if access to warm data takes longer, for instance when copying files („copy’n’tea“). Warm data are usually already suitable for sharing in the research group or with external researchers.

Hot research data

Hot data are accessed frequently and data must be available almost immediately for processing.
In specific terms, this means that the data is processed frequently and changes occur as a result. Hot data are ideally located close to the machine that processes them, so that delays do not occur over a network, for example.
Hot research data are not published and are rarely shared with other people. If the data are not easy to recover, the backup strategy must also include hot data.

Linked Open Data

Linked Open Data (LOD) is an approach to representing and publishing research data. It consists of two aspects:

  • „Linked“: related, machine-readable data on the Internet
  • „Open“: the data is freely accessible and distributable

This results in a network of data in which individual elements refer to others. Individual data can be retrieved via a URI.

A visual representation can be found here.

Long-term archiving

The standard retention period for research data is at least ten years [1]. This poses both organizational and technical challenges.
From an organizational point of view, it must be regulated who has responsibility and control over data when the original owner leaves FAU.
From a technical point of view, there is a need for specialized archiving systems and plans that prevent data loss. In addition, the file format is relevant, as it may no longer be supported at a later time.

[1]: https://forschungsdaten.info/praxis-kompakt/glossar/#c269839

openBis

openBis is an open source combination of electronic lab notebook (ELN), data management platform and laboratory inventory management system that has been actively developed since 2007. Depending on requirements, all or only selected features can be used. The modular design of openBIS enables flexible adaptation to the requirements of a wide variety of working groups. In addition, it has an interface that allows the use of Jupyter notebooks for data analysis in openBIS. There is also an interface for exporting data to the Zenodo repository.

Open access

„Open Access“ means that digital scientific content is available free of charge and in an accessible form. The copyright remains in place.

Further information is available at forschungsdaten.info

Usage rights

A right of use describes the manner in which an object may be used. Examples of „uses“ of digital objects are copying, saving or publishing. The use can be subject to conditions, such as a monetary fee.

A right of use between the rights holder and the contractual partner can be established through a license.