Here at KTH, there is a rich stream of data flowing through a great many exciting fields of research. This volume of data – from carefully compiled figures and statistical analyses, to texts with interviews or survey responses, photographs, drawings, video clips and software code – is at the very heart of our research.
Since research data is the basis on which research results are founded, it needs to be able to be reviewed and reused. By sharing and reusing the results, we build a stronger foundation for future findings. But of course this requires a structured, meticulous approach to managing research data, and this is not always simple. Research is a dynamic world, and researchers move between institutions and projects, which can mean that valuable data gets lost when a person leaves or a project comes to an end.
This is why the KTH Library, the IT department, the Research Support Office (RSO) and the PDC Center for High Performance Computing are joining forces to create services that make it easier for researchers to work more smartly with research data. It relates to the entire process, from project start-up and active research, to project close and publication. We advise on regulations and recommend data depositories for sharing project data during ongoing research, and also promote discussion on how we can store data and make it available once the project comes to an end.
By collaborating across multiple departments with different areas of expertise, we can establish a support structure that no department could have built up individually. Read more on the Research data page, or contact researchdata@kth.se to find out more.