In order to make the results of research processes findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable available to the specialist community in the long term, research data should be stored in subject-specific or data-specific repositories wherever possible. However, it is not uncommon for there to be no suitable subject-specific repository structures.

In such cases, institutional repositories, which are increasingly operated by universities and research institutions, can be a possible alternative. Institutional repositories are generally aimed at the members of a particular institution. They are designed to accept as much research data as possible from a wide range of subject areas. The curation and documentation of the data is correspondingly generic. In this way, it is not possible to guarantee subject-specific retrievability of the stored research data, but institutional repositories generally provide a particularly reliable and long-term service due to their institutional connection.

The operation of institutional repositories represents an opportunity for universities and research institutions to comply with good scientific practice. In addition, the establishment of such an infrastructure is often anchored in the corresponding research data policies of the institutions.

For optimal and efficient advice and support in publishing and securing your research data, 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.