Do you know how a research data repository is used at the University of Arizona? 

It’s a centralized place where research datasets are archived and made available to everyone. 

In 2020, the University Libraries launched ReDATA, the institutional research data repository for U of A researchers to store and share non-traditional datasets from their scholarly work. Today, the experts behind the repository and related services continue to make data more visible and reusable, and easy to access for all users. 

We’re celebrating ReDATA’s fifth anniversary by sharing a series of stories about the campus service.

Here’s the first story.

The Libraries' Research Engagement department manages the research data repository. Data materials don’t have to be associated with a published article, but datasets from published articles and completed research projects can be deposited. The ReDATA team not only helps researchers improve their data and review it before publication, they ensure that university policies are being followed. 

The repository accepts data in any format, including spreadsheets, code, images, videos, and documents. What’s more, anyone can browse and access the data.

To make research data more reusable, it should be easy for people to find and use. This means that the research itself can have a bigger impact when others use the data.

Julie E. Miller,  an associate professor in the Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences in the U of A College of Science, has used the campus data repository since it was established. One of Miller's datasets, Raw birdsong data for ‘Middle Age, a Key Time Point for Changes in Birdsong and Human Voice,’ is archived in ReDATA. Miller’s research profile also includes other published datasets.

"ReDATA has provided an easily accessible and user-friendly platform for our data storage needs required to be compliant with journal and funding agency requirements,” said Miller.  

Another user-friendly feature is the platform’s visual design, which meets accessibility requirements for screen readers and keyboard navigation. 

If you’re a U of A researcher, the ReDATA team provides support even after your materials are deposited. In addition to helping researchers track where their datasets are cited by other scholarly works, our specialists track the number of mentions about the datasets in news articles and social media. 

Miller has seen results. "Because of ReDATA, our research publications have gained more visibility worldwide, and provides open access to other researchers and the public."    

Things to know

• Meet the ReDATA team.
• Why use ReDATA?
• Follow ReDATA on Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and Mastodon to see curated and published datasets.