University Recommends that Researchers Open Their Research Data
The University of Turku wants to advance the open access and utilisation of research data with the newly-published data policy.
The data policy defines the joint rules for the collection, use and management of digital research data at the University of Turku.
– Openness is a basic principle in the research conducted at the University of Turku. Opening the research data facilitates its utilisation, which also improves the effectiveness of research. Openness is also important when verifying research results, which is part of the nature of science, says Vice Rector Kalle-Antti Suominen.
The publication of the data policy is related to the policy programme for advancing open science, which is defined in the new strategy of the University of Turku. On a national level, the Ministry of Education and Culture has set a goal that Finland is the leading country in the openness of science and research by 2017.
The University's data policy was prepared in the autumn of 2015. Comments were gathered from the University community for the data policy and discussion sessions have been organised on the topic.
Support for Opening Research Data
Among other things, the data policy states that the research data related to published research results is principally open and available for shared use. The openness can be limited only for justified reasons.
Digital research data can be, for example, measurements, statistics, digital images, recordings, transcriptions of interviews, survey data or observations based on fieldwork.
A data management infrastructure will be created for the researchers and it will include tools that support data production, use and share.
– Researchers can find answers for legal and ethical questions from the especially established service network that includes experts in different fields. The University will also provide training and instructions on opening research data, says University's Director of Development Riitta Mustonen.
You can send questions to the network by email to openutu@utu.fi.
Mustonen highlights the significance of data management plan when opening research data. The University recommends the use of existing research data storage services, such as the IDA service produced by CSC – IT Center for Science.
>> The data policy of the University of Turku
Text: Jenni Valta and Tuomas Koivula
Photo: Antti Tarponen
Translation: Mari Ratia