Databases of the week
Week 29
Re3data: Comprehensive Registry of Research Data Repositories
Re3data is an English-language registry of research data repositories across a wide range of disciplines and subjects. The registry was founded in Germany in 2012. Currently, over 3,400 repositories are included in Re3data. The registry currently lists 83 repositories from the Netherlands or involving the Netherlands. This resource is particularly interesting for researchers in research groups. The Dutch repository DANS can also be found via Re3data.
Functions of Re3data:
The registry has two functions.
Firstly, it helps researchers select the most suitable repository for their own research data.
Secondly, the registry acts as a database where researchers can find and reuse relevant datasets from other researchers in their own research projects.
Criteria for Included Repositories:
The repositories included in the registry must meet several criteria, including permanent storage and access to the data. Assessing a repository is easy thanks to six icons assigned to each individual dataset.
Hovering over an icon on the right of a repository in the database reveals its meaning.
- Information about additional services provided by the repository
- Free access to the data (Open Access)
- Licenses and terms of use
- Persistent identifier
- Certificate
- Repository’s policy.
Searching repositories:
Using the filters you can search for the most suitable repositories. The browse function is also very useful, you can search by topic, among other things. Once you've found a relevant repository, use the link to access it and search for datasets. Some repositories require you to log in with an account, while others are freely accessible. The search method also varies for each repository.
Examples:
If you search for "Artificial intelligence" in the search bar, you'll find 55 repositories. You can then further refine these using the filters, for example, by country.