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Deposit guidelines

Want to publish and share your research data through DataverseNO? Most datasets can be prepared by following a few simple steps, and support is available throughout the process.

The purpose of these guidelines is to help you organize and document your data in a way that supports reuse and long-term preservation. The guidelines explain how to (1) prepare your data, (2) deposit them in the repository as a dataset, (3) publish it, (4) refer to it, and if needed, (5) modify your dataset after it is published.

  1. 1Prepare your data
  2. 2Deposit your data
  3. 3Curation and publishing
  4. 4Refer to your data
  5. 5Modify your dataset

Before you get started

Before you begin preparing your dataset, there are a few important questions and answers to consider. If you are unsure about terms such as DOI, metadata, embargo, curation, or dataset, see the Glossary.

  • Can I use DataverseNO to publish and share my data? DataverseNO supports research data from all disciplines and is free to use for researchers affiliated with Norwegian research institutions. Read more about who can share data in DataverseNO on the about page.

  • What if my data are sensitive? DataverseNO currently only accepts data that can be openly shared. If your data require protection, certain steps or considerations may be necessary before they can be shared openly. If you are unsure what applies to your dataset, please contact your local user support.

  • Will I get help to publish my data? Support is available throughout the process. All datasets submitted to DataverseNO are reviewed by trained data curators before publication. Curators do not evaluate the scientific quality of the research itself but can help improve documentation, metadata, file organization, file formats, and licensing information. You do not need to get everything perfect from the start. Read more about curation on the about page.

  • What if I need restricted access? DataverseNO currently does not offer restricted file access. It is possible to specify an embargo period during which the embargoed files will not be accessible, but the dataset metadata will remain visible. The embargo period is temporary and will end automatically at a specified end date, maximum 2 years after publication. Read more about applying an embargo in Step 2: Deposit your data.

  • Will my dataset become citable? Published datasets receive a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), making them citable and easier to discover and reuse. Read more about dataset visibility on the about page or learn how to cite datasets in the deposit guidelines.

  • Can I modify my dataset after publication? Yes, it is possible to modify your dataset after publication. Doing so will create a new version of the dataset. Read more about versioning on the page Step 5: Modify your data.

Your data must be openly shareable

DataverseNO is a repository for research data that can be openly shared. If your dataset contains personal data, health data, Indigenous data, copyrighted material, commercially sensitive information, or other information requiring protection, additional steps may be necessary before publication. If you are unsure what applies to your dataset, please contact your local user support.

Ready to get started?

Depending on your needs, you can choose one of two ways to get started:

  • Step 1: Prepare your data: provides the full guidance on organizing, documenting, and preparing your dataset for publication.

Step 1: Prepare your data

  • Quick guide and checklist: provides a condensed overview of the most important steps and requirements for experienced users or those who want a quick overview before diving into the details.

Quick guide and checklist

Useful resources

Are you looking for a specific resource? Maybe it is one of these:

Preferred file formats README file template Full metadata guide (link coming)