Data preparation

Before scientific data can be disseminated it needs to be prepared in such a way that future users may easily understand the data and conduct informed analyses of it.

For others to be able to understand and reuse the data certain documentation needs to accompany it, including information on the research methods and sample and coding of variables. Typically the first step is to clean the data and assess the risk of disclosure due to personal identifiers, which forms the basis for deciding what type of access condition will be applied to the dataset (open or restricted access). Then, metadata and data documentation are compiled and finalized, followed by the signing of a licensing agreement with DATICE. Before you start, make sure that the ownership of the data is clear. Often there may be more than one owner, and in such cases, a signature from all parties is required.