HOW TO STORE - Easily back up and archive research data

The secure storage of digital research data and the results of humanities research processes during and after the end of a project is a basic prerequisite for sound scientific work.

Data backup is subject to different conditions within the various project stages. An appropriate storage and archiving strategy is always geared towards the needs of the researchers and the characteristics of the data to be processed. It should therefore be developed at an early stage and in consideration of the respective research project. In addition to questions of storage capacity, access options and versioning in the context of collaborative work, legal aspects, in particular data protection conditions or copyright circumstances, are important framework conditions for securing research data during and after the end of a project.

The Data Center for the Humanities (DCH) supports researchers at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in the development and implementation of storage strategies, the identification of adequate backup and archiving solutions and the archiving of research data. The perspective of the Cologne Data Center is subject-specific in order to always identify an optimal, needs-oriented solution for you.

Specifically, the DCH will help you in a professional and uncomplicated manner with

- the development or review of storage strategies,

- the archiving of research data in line with good scientific practice and

- the identification and procurement of needs-oriented repository solutions.

If required, the Cologne Data Center can also archive your data at the university on the institutional repository and act as a point of contact when it comes to your archived data. In addition, the DCH operates its own repository for audiovisual language data, the Language Archive Cologne(LAC).

As with all aspects of research data management (RDM), we support you at every stage of your project. However, the earlier you contact us, the better and more extensive the support we can provide.

For optimal and efficient advice and support on aspects of storing and archiving your research data during and at the end of a project, we are available to you in the current situation by e-mail or video conference. You can reach us easily and conveniently via info-dch(at)uni-koeln.de.