Directive on research data management and open data publication at the Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology and University Library (TIB)

Status as of 25.10.2024

§ 1 Preamble

The Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology and University Library (TIB) is committed to the importance of research data in the scientific knowledge process. This policy is in line with the "Guidelines on the Handling of Research Data with the Leibniz Association" and refers to the "Principles for Dealing with Research Data" of the Alliance of Science Organisations, the "Guidelines on the Handling of Research Data" and the Code of Conduct "Guidelines for Good Scientific Practice" of the German Research Foundation (DFG). In terms of implementation, the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-usable) Data Principles of FORCE 11 and the FAIR4RS Principles focussing on research software of the RDA FAIR4RS Working Group are used as a guide.

Scientific research generates a large amount of research data. It is generated and processed using various methods. Responsible handling of this data is a prerequisite for making research comprehensible and disseminating scientific findings. The management, safeguarding, storage and sustainable dissemination of research data should be carried out in accordance with recognised subject-specific standards. Legal and ethical requirements as well as disciplinary differences must be taken into account.

Sustainable research data management thus enables the verification and reproducibility of research results and the conclusions drawn from them. This can be achieved both by publishing the data as the basis of a scientific article or by publishing the data independently.

§2 Terminology of research data management

Research data is academically relevant data that forms the basis of scientific research and is generated or processed during the scientific work process. The nature and form of research data varies considerably and is primarily determined by the respective discipline. It may include, for example, measurement, survey and observation data, texts, survey data, metadata and graphic-visual materials, software developments and simulations.[1] In particular for research software, the handout “Handling of Research Software in the DFG's Funding Activities” is also available.[2]

Research data management (RDM) encompasses all data-related activities such as creating, editing, analysing, describing, archiving and publishing. RDM is part of good scientific practice and ensures the discoverability, access, reuse, reproducibility and quality of research results.

§3 Objectives

The intention of this guideline is to ensure that TIB employees prepare, document and publish their research data and metadata in a sustainable manner. This includes following the guidelines and recommendations given above, including long-term storage.

§4 Implementation and responsibilities

TIB expects its employees to archive and publish prepared research data described with high-quality metadata in specialised or institutional, trustworthy repositories, as far as the legal framework allows this. The data should be made accessible in accordance with the Open Access Policy and the Guidelines for Ensuring Good Scientific Practice, explicitly stating a free usage licence, using a persistent identifier (PID) and - as far as possible - in open and machine-readable formats.

TIB supports its employees in the implementation of research data management, in particular data publication and sustainable data archiving, as follows:

  • Recognising the necessary efforts of its employees for comprehensive and sustainable research data management and creating a framework for this.
  • Supporting employees in identifying and using suitable subject-specific or generic data repositories (such as the TIB RADAR instance and the Research Data Repository of Leibniz Universität Hannover as well as the Leibniz Data Manager).
  • Informing and advising its employees on questions of research data management and data publication (counselling and training services) and supporting them in clarifying legal issues.
  • Offering its employees sustainable data archiving via the TIB's long-term archive.
  • Providing evidence of research data published by employees in TIB's research information system VIVO.

§5 RDM at TIB in other contexts

The topic of research data and research data management is promoted at the TIB through a number of other activities and projects. These include, for example, national and international collaborations and networks such as the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) with its organised initiatives, participation in DataCite e.V. and the Research Data Alliance (RDA), as well as the Leibniz Research Network Leibniz Data within the Leibniz Association. At regional level, TIB plays a leading role in the Lower Saxony State Initiative for Research Data Management. At the local level, TIB is continuously developing its consultancy services for scientific institutions, including Leibniz Universität Hannover. This includes advice on international standards in the field of RDM and in the development and publication of research software such as FAIRness, open licences, long-term archiving and persistent identifiers.

Further up-to-date information can be found on the relevant TIB websites.

[1] cf. also the definition of research data of the German Research Foundation at https://www.dfg.de/en/basics-topics/basics-and-principles-of-funding/research-data

[2] cf. on the use of research software:https://zenodo.org/records/13919790

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