Where can I find subject-specific and general repository information?

Best practices for choosing a repository vary, but in general, researchers are encouraged to use (1) specific repositories, (2) subject-specific repositories, (3) institutional repositories, or (4) general repositories, in that order.

Below is a flowchart prepared by the IU Research Data Steward that advises how to find repositories to utilize in sharing your data.

Specific or Required Repositories

If your research funder or sponsor requires a specific database to store and share your data, then use the repository specified by your funder or sponsor.

Subject Specific Repositories

If your funder or sponsor does not require a specific repository, there are many specialized databases that you can use to store your data based on your discipline of research. One way to find a specialized database is through the RCRegistry of Data Repositories (re3data.org)Re3data is a global registry of research data repositories RC Registry of Data Repositories (re3data.org) , which aggregates data repositories by domain. You can also use the RCData Repositories DirectoryList of repositories and databases for open data RC Data Repositories Directory to find lists of active repositories by subject. One major repository that Indiana University belongs to that serves a broad research community is the RCUniversity of Michigan’s ICPSR (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research) repositoryProvides a social science data archive & research methods training RC University of Michigan’s ICPSR (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research) repository for social and behavioral research.

Institutional Repositories

Institutional repositories are general repositories that serve an institutional community. RCIUScholarWorksInstitutional repository for research a by IU faculty, staff & students RC IUScholarWorks is a repository hosted by Indiana University Libraries and serves IU Bloomington, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. RCIU Indianapolis DataWorksRepository for preserving and sharing IUI digital research data RC IU Indianapolis DataWorks serves the IU Indianapolis community.

General Repositories

There are several general repositories available to store and share your data. Examples include RCFigshareRepository that stores any type of file and visualizes hundreds of file formats RC Figshare , RCZenodoRepository build and developed by researchers RC Zenodo , and RCDryadOpen data publishing platform RC Dryad .

You can find additional information regarding repositories and how to make your data accessible through the RCIU Libraries Open Data WebsiteBenefits to open data RC IU Libraries Open Data Website .