This article describes the Data Curation is an Advanced service offered by the UNC Research Data Management Core (RDMC) and Curation service offered by the how to submit a request for this service.
RDMC Data Curation Service
The UNC Research Data Management Core (RDMC) offers a data curation service to the UNC research community. This RDMC Add-on Data Management Service is designed to ensure that datasets housed in data repositories are discoverable, understandable, and usable. Members of the RDMC research data stewardship team work with investigators and project teams to develop and execute data curation workflows for data file packaging and repository ingest that align with standards and best practices for data preservation and data quality.
To learn Learn more about Data Curation
Data Curation Service Scope of Work
The scope of work for the RDMC Data Curation service , submit a request via the RDMC service portal.
What is data curation?
Data curation refers to the various processes involved in ensuring that data can be discovered, accessed, understood, and used now and into the future. These processes are part of a disciplined practice that considers the technical aspects of data within the broader context of responsible and ethical conduct of research, scientific rigor and integrity, disciplinary culture and practice, and stakeholder mandates and expectations.
The practice of data curation includes
The data curator
what does a data curator do and what are their qualifications
Data curation standards and best practices
Data Curation Lifecycle
CURATE(D)
FAIR Principles
10 Things
OAIS
Why curate data?
benefits of curating data
RDMC Data Curation Service
what is included
how we assess the scope of work
example
Budgeting for data curation
Data curation is considered by federal for most projects will include the following primary data curation activities:
Dataset File Preparation
Assembly and review of dataset files and associated materials to ensure that the data package submitted to the designated repository upholds FAIR data principles for findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability.
Dataset Record Creation
Creation of standardized descriptive and administrative metadata based on client-provided information about the data types, allowable uses, and research context.
Dataset File Transfer
Upload of dataset files to a dataset record. Includes creation of file-level metadata, checksums review, application of access restrictions (if required), and inspection of files in the repository to confirm successful transfer.
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For other data management and sharing needs that fall outside of this scope of work, please visit RDMC Add-on Services for information about other services offered by RDMC that may meet your project needs. |
Requesting the Data Curation Service
Requests for the RDMC Data Curation service can be submitted via our Help Center.
When submitting requests for the Data Curation service, please be prepared to provide the following information:
Program solicitation URL
Data sharing policy URL
Project proposal draft
Data management and sharing plan
Project start and end date
Estimated total project budget
Estimated budget for data curation
Detailed information about your project allows the RDMC team to determine what services you need and accurately estimate costs based on those needs. Information about the funding sponsor and their data management and sharing policies allows the RDMC team to recommend services that the sponsor considers allowable costs and that meet the sponsor’s specific data management and sharing requirements.
Once the RDMC team reviews the submitted materials, you will receive a quote for the data curation service that includes a recommended scope of work. Please note that this quote is offered as a broad-brush scope of work estimate based on several assumptions about project needs and timelines. If these assumptions are inaccurate or if the scope of work changes, the associated fees will be updated.
Budgeting for the Data Curation Service
Data curation may be considered by funding agencies to be an allowable cost that can be included in the proposal budget.
Budget justification
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. Costs for data curation varies based on several factors including the type, volume, complexity, and sensitivity of the data.
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Review funding agency policies for guidance on allowable costs for data management. If you have questions about whether or not a service is considered an allowable cost, please contact OSPHelp@unc.edu for assistance. |
Data curation service fees are based on hourly recharge rates approved by the UNC Office of Sponsored Programs. Please visit RDMC Add-on Services for current rates and hourly minimums.
The text below describing the RDMC Data Curation Service may be used in the budget justification component of the project budget as applicable.
The RDMC Data Management and Curation service fee covers the cost of executing standards-based data curation workflows for data file packaging and repository ingest, which includes file format normalization, document preparation, metadata generation, dataset package quality review, and transfer of dataset packages to the specified repository. These curation activities are carried out by RDMC data curation specialists with the specific needs of the data type, format, size, and content in mind to ensure that the data are findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (i.e., FAIR), and to satisfy all DMSP requirements.
To learn more about the RDMC Data Curation Service or to obtain a quote, please submit your request via our Help Center.