Research data management and storage

Research working storage

• This service enables Griffith researchers and their collaborators to store primary data and associated documentation from research projects being conducted at Griffith University. This helps researchers fulfil the requirements of the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research and Griffith's Best Practice Guidelines for Researchers: Managing Research Data and Primary Materials.
• The service offers similar functionality to DropBox, SkyDrive and Google Drive, but comes with these additional benefits:
  • start with 5GB of personal space and request further shared spaces for collaborative projects that are not subject to a quota
  • easily invite collaborators including people from external organisations
  • install apps that can automatically sync files between your different devices
  • secure your data. Files are encrypted and stored on Griffith-hosted systems, not offshore.
• This service should not be used to store:
  • Information associated with administrative activities or with learning and teaching.
  • Information that you do not have permission to share because of copyright (e.g. articles downloaded from subscription library databases) or ethical or contractual restrictions.
  • Information that is highly sensitive and requires greater than usual security measures e.g. medical records or data subject to the Defence Trade Controls Act (2012).
• This service is provided at no cost to researchers.

Research archive storage

• This service allows researchers to store a backup of research data that is in its final state and no longer being modified. This data will be retained for a specific duration (selectable duration). It may be slower to access than other tiers of storage.

Research data repository

• A repository that makes research data collections accessible and searchable via a web interface. The repository can be public or private. For more information please visit the website.
• Griffith also participates in Research Data Australia, a national catalogue of research data and associated research activities. Details of the data collections and research activities are registered in the Research Data Australia catalogue by Griffith University.

Discipline-specific repositories for research data storage

• The team provides access and support for some discipline-specific repositories.
• Terranova is a software system that acts as a central information hub for researchers in the Climate Change Adaptation research domain. Users can deposit research data, with associated metadata descriptions, into centrally managed storage infrastructure, which can be searched in a variety of different ways. There are many collections from catchment management authorities from across Australia.
  • Website: https://terranova.org.au
  • This is offered as a self-service application and is free of charge.
• Microscopy Portal: This service uses the software Columbus, from Perkin Elmer. It integrates tightly with the Opera and Operetta High Content Imaging Systems and is based on the OMERO system by Open Microscopy Environment. It can visualise images and microscopy media from most many microscopes via the Bioformats library. Analysis tools are available via building blocks. This allows you to easily create and customise algorithms to compare multiple samples, plates or batches. Visualised results can then be exported to formats such as Excel and PowerPoint and can interface with Accelrys Pipeline Pilot, IDBS ActivityBase and Volocity.
  • Website: http://microscopy.griffith.edu.au
  • This is offered as a self-service application and is free of charge
• Open River is a project that aims to provide a data catalogue that describes a given river system through environmental, social, health and economic attributes.

Infrastructure provisioning

• Requirement gathering and provisioning of hardware, software, network resources and services required for the existence, operation and management of research and research related activities.

Consulting for other research storage options

• Requirement gathering and consultation to determine client needs for research.

Note: eResearch Services partner with researchers on projects and can supply skilled staff for short-term projects. Situations will vary depending on the work and funding arrangements.