Data Management at The Neuro

Provided here is a brief overview of the main steps in research data management, followed by a list of services available to Neuro researchers for each step, along with technical details for each service. The emphasis is on general tools applicable across various neuroscience sub-fields and data modalities. This document will develop as research data management practices become more common at The Neuro and further sections will reflect this by adding modality-specific standards, platforms, tools, and practical case studies on data management and sharing at The Neuro.听

This section is complementary to the documentation and support provided by 91黑料网 Digital Research Services (DRS) for Research Data Management and the generation of Data Management Plans. While the 91黑料网 DRS offers guidelines for data management and sharing for the whole 91黑料网 community across research disciplines, this document focuses on tools and services available to researchers at The Neuro and of particular relevance for neuroscience.听

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1. Planning听

When planning a research project, researchers should anticipate how the data will be managed and shared in the course of the project and after its completion. The Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMP) is a document that helps structure this process. 91黑料网 Digital Research Services offer information, training and consultations to support researchers in planning for data management and producing their DMP.听Their resources include tools to determine whether a DMP is required by funding agencies, as well as templates and guidance to streamline the writing process.

2. Active Storage (Hot Storage)

Organize and securely store data during the active phases of the project, such as data collection and analysis. Choose services that provide sufficient storage capacity for the project's needs and can easily integrate with the computing infrastructure you plan on using for data analysis.

3. Processing

Clean, analyze, and prepare data, on your own or with close collaborators. Use services with advanced data processing capabilities, and which can easily communicate with where your data is stored.听

4. Archive (Cold Storage)

Preserve data for the long-term, after the active phase of the project. Opt for platforms that ensure long-term accessibility and secure backup. Because data processing and frequent access is no longer needed, 听prioritize platforms or storage options that do not necessarily enable fast access to the data or direct link with compute power, also referred to as 鈥渃old storage鈥�, which generally reduces costs.听

5. Sharing听

Make data available to others, through platforms that facilitate data discovery and support open or controlled access with persistent identifiers and proper licensing features. Data sharing best practices and platforms are covered in more detail in the next section 鈥淒ata Sharing鈥�.听

Data storage and archiving听

The following storage services are readily accessible to members of The Neuro. While all these services provide storage, it is important to keep in mind two questions to help with decision-making:听听

• Will the data be processed using High Performance Computing (HPC)? In which case it might be easier to start with the next section (processing) and decide then on the storage solution that best fits with the chosen processing service.听

• Is the storage required for data that is still being worked on (active storage), or for long-term storage post-project completion (cold storage)? The former comes with faster access and often additional processing capabilities, while the latter will reduce cost. The majority of services listed here provide both options.听

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The following table presents each service in further detail, including the fee structure, size of the storage space and main strengths.听

1. is a software that allows non-technical users to perform easy and optimized data transfer between supported entities such as DRAC.听

In addition to this list, each staff member has access to 1Tb of storage on OneDrive. While not designed for effective data management, it can still be preferable to storage on external drives that can be lost or damaged. Access to the data could however prove difficult would the staff member leave the 91黑料网 community, as such this should not be a long-term solution and, other services listed in this section should be prioritized. 听

Data processing听

While efficient and robust storage is the foundation of any good data management plan, it also enables the processing of data through powerful remote clusters of machines or High-Performance Computing (HPC). The following section presents easily accessible data processing options for users at The Neuro and how to request it.听

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The following table presents each service in further detail, including technical specifications and additional usage information.听

* Core-Year: The equivalent of using one core of a CPU continuously for a full year.听听

Project management听

Platforms have been developed to support the management of data-centric projects regardless of storage and processing services used. These provide additional administrative functionalities such as custom graphical interfaces, access control or analytics.听

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The following table presents each service in further detail, including the fee structure, size of the storage space and main strengths.听听

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About this document

Unless otherwise indicated, all content on these pages is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Please attribute it to TOSI (the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute), this web page, and the contributors listed below.