Resources and Tools

DATA INTENSIVE RESEARCH (DIR) TOOLS

  • The Jupyter project allows users to run complex workflows (known as notebooks) on one’s computer and/or in the cloud via any browser. Along with online services such as Github and Binder, Jupyter can be used to carry out collaborative data-intensive research work.
  • Cloud computing companies also offer limited free-tier access to professional tools such as Google Colaboratory (for code development and execution) and Google Data Studio (for data reporting and visualization).
  • The UWC Meerkat Cluster supports data-intensive research for UWC faculty, research staff, postdocs and postgraduate students.
  • Ilifu is a cloud computing facility devoted to astronomy and bioinformatics data-intensive research.

DATA PUBLISHING AT UWC

Research data management (RDM) is the process of organising and documenting data processes within a research project, including storage, sharing and publishing. Find out more about RDM at UWC.

REPOSITORIES

UWC Library Services manages three institutional repositories, collectively known as UWC Scholar. They are the UWC Electronic Theses and Dissertations Repository (ETD); the UWC Research Repository (for all UWC-authored publications) and UWC’s Research Data Repository Kikapu (an instance of Figshare), which is the preferred mode of storing and publishing research data at UWC.

Zenodo is another option for UWC researchers, and there is an active UWC Zenodo community.

Both Kikapu and Zenodo are open access online repositories for research data, and once data is published (and licensed), a DOI is minted.

USEFUL TOOLS

  • The UWC eResearch Office YouTube Channel keeps updated with recordings of webinars, presentations and workshops, and we have a useful Research Data Management Playlist which offers introductions to various RDM-related topics. Researchers can subscribe to the channel to receive notifications.
  • The UWC Library YouTube Channel offers informative videos related to library services and support
  • re3data.org is a global Registry of Research Repositories 
  • A list of metadata standards, maintained by the RDA (Research Data Alliance) Metadata Standards Directory Working Group and “supported by individuals and organizations involved in the development, implementation, and use of metadata for scientific data. The overriding goal is to develop a collaborative, open directory of metadata standards applicable to scientific data that can help address infrastructure challenges1“.
  • Register with the Research Data Alliance (RDA) – “The RDA vision is for researchers and innovators to openly sharing data across technologies, disciplines, and countries to address the grand challenges of society”2
  • What is the most appropriate license for my data? Figshare offers a handy summary. 
  • DataONE has put together a useful Primer on Data Management
  • Test how FAIR your data is with the ARDC’s FAIR Assessment Tool
  • The EOSC Portal (European Open Science Cloud) is a useful avenue to investigate available tools and infrastructures promoting Open Science practices. It an umbrella project that brings together freely available and standards-compliant tools in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths).

RESEARCH VISIBILITY TOOLS

  • Altmetric collects and collate disparate information from various platforms about research output, and provides users with a single view of online activity surrounding scholarly content.
  • Publons helps researchers to trach publications, citation metrics, peer reviews and journal editing work.
  • An ORCID iD is a persistent digital identifier that distinguishes each researcher. It improves visibility and ensures that bibliometric data is accurate and correctly linked to a researcher profile.

DATA MANAGEMENT PLANNING (DMP) TOOLS

According to the UWC RDM Policy, all long-term management of any conducted research that is formally associated with UWC needs to be described with a DMP, and there are various options available. Find out more about DMP Tools.

UWC LIBRARY SERVICES

The Library Services team at UWC works closely with the eResearch office. They regularly host workshops and webinars, and are always willing to assist with RDM queries. Contact them at research-support@uwc.ac.za.  

POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

Globally, the last decade has seen a proliferation of open data policies. Some of our more locally relevant policies on open access include:  

UWC Open-Access-PolicyDownload
UWC RDM PolicyDownload

1 RDA Metadata Standards Directory
2 About the RDA