The ACU Research Data Management Policy is guided by the FAIR Data Principles of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.

First published in 2016, these principles contain guidelines for good data management practice to facilitate knowledge discovery.

Findable

It should be possible for others to discover your data. A description of your data should be available online in a searchable resource, and the data should be assigned a persistent identifier.

• A persistent identifier (DOI - digital object identifier) is assigned to your data.
• Your data is richly described so others will understand what the dataset is.
• The metadata are online in a searchable resource e.g. a repository such as Research Bank.
• The Research Bank record for your data includes the persistent identifier (DOI).

Accessible

It should be possible for humans and machines to gain access to your data, under specific conditions or restrictions where appropriate. FAIR does not mean that data need to be open. There should be a description of your dataset, even if the data aren’t accessible.

• Following the persistent identifier (DOI) will take you to the dataset and/or associated description of the data.
• The protocol by which data can be retrieved follows recognised standards, for example HTTP.
• The access procedure includes authentication and authorisation steps, if necessary.
• A description of your dataset is accessible in a suitable repository (wherever possible), even if the data is not.

Interoperable

Data and the description of your dataset should conform to recognised formats and standards to allow them to be combined and exchanged.

• Data is provided in commonly understood and preferably open (not proprietary) formats.
• The data description provided follows relevant standards.
• Discipline-specific vocabulary and keywords are used to describe your data.
• Qualified references and links are provided to other related data..

Reusable

Data documentation and description is needed to support data interpretation and reuse. The data should conform to standards and be licensed, so others know what kinds of reuse are permitted.

• The data are accurate and well described with many relevant attributes.
• The data have a clear and accessible data usage license.
• It is clear how, why and by whom the data have been created and processed.
• The data and data description meet relevant discipline standards.

If you have any questions relating to FAIR, please contact the library.