Create a Dataset

Create a New Dataset

To create a dataset record, navigate to your project dataverse and select the ‘+Add Data’ button then select ‘New Dataset’ from the drop-down menu. You will be taken to the dataset creation page where you can provide metadata describing the contents of your dataset record. You will also be able to upload data, documentation, and code files via this page.

Create Dataset Video Tutorial

Dataset Template

If a Dataset Template is enabled within the project dataverse, the dataset creation page will be customized to the specifications of that template. You can see which template you are using at the top of the page.

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To choose a different template, or remove the template entirely, select the drop-down menu under Dataset Template and choose which option suits your needs.

Citation Metadata

The Citation Metadata section of the dataset creation page is comprised of the fields required to generate a complete data citation for your dataset record. Within this block you will find required metadata fields denoted by an asterisk. Fill in each of the required fields with the necessary information. If you need additional fields for multiple authors and/or contacts, click the + button beside the appropriate field.

Required fields include:

• Title

• Author(s)

• Contact(s)

• Description

• Subject

It is also recommended to provide at least three Keywords. Each keyword should have its own field. To add a new Keyword field, click the '+' button.

When creating the dataset record for the first time, you will be shown a limited metadata selection; however, there are additional fields available to help facilitate discovery within the UNC Dataverse platform. To provide more context about the contents of your dataset record, please see the Edit Metadata section.

Metadata Formatting

As you enter information into the provided metadata fields, please keep in mind that text entries within UNC Dataverse are case sensitive. It is important to be consistent with the format you are using within your metadata fields.

For instance, when entering Keywords, we recommend sticking to a sentence case format, meaning the first word in a keyword phrase is capitalized and all words following are lowercase. This ensures that users searching for a particular metadata entry via the facets on your project dataverse page only need select one phrase instead of each variation of it. Whichever format you decide upon, keep note of it for all contributors and curators to your project dataverse.

Additional Metadata Blocks

UNC Dataverse offers a selection of metadata blocks specific to certain disciplines. These include Life Sciences, Geospatial, Social Sciences and Humanities, Astronomy and Astrophysics, as well as Journal metadata. These additional blocks provide subject-specific metadata fields to further describe your research data in line with metadata standards and practices accepted by their respective research communities.

If your project fits within any of these subject areas, you may include the metadata block within your dataverse customizations when creating your dataverse, or by editing your pre-existing dataverse by selecting ‘Edit > General Information’.

Once you’ve created your draft dataset, you will be able to fill in these additional metadata fields by selecting ‘Edit Metadata’.

Upload Files

Once you’ve completed the Citation Metadata, you will find the Upload Files section at the bottom of the page. You have the option to drag and drop your files into this section, or you can click ‘+ Select Files to Add’ to browse for the files you wish to upload.

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Dataverse will show a brief progress bar beside each file while uploading them to the system. As soon as the files are uploaded, the page will display an updated file(s) list where you are able to add additional metadata at the file level.

File-level Metadata

Dataverse offers the option to provide descriptive information about each file uploaded within its interface. Underneath the file’s MD5, you will see a section labeled ‘Description’ where you may provide file-level information about your data or documentation file.

For example, you may use this section to clarify the contents within your codebook.

File Tags

Dataverse also allows you to further categorize your files using file tags. Tags are a way to easily denote file types and categories. To select a File Tag for you file, navigate to the triple … button on the far right of the file uploader. From the drop-down menu, select ‘Tags’.

There are three options available under File Tags: data, documentation, and code. Click the checkbox next to the appropriate tag(s). A gray tag with the selected label will appear above the File Tags drop-down.

Users may also create Custom File Tags. Simply type in the tag label you wish to create using the Custom File Tags field and click ‘Apply’. The new tag will now appear in the selected file tags section of the window.

When you’ve finished adding tags to your file, click ‘Save Changes’. You will now see the gray tag label underneath your file description.

File Paths

UNC Dataverse can also create folders to help keep your files organized within the platform. If you need to utilize a folder hierarchy to help organize and group certain files, you can take advantage of the File Paths feature.

To create a file path, simply scroll to the file you wish to house within a specific folder. In the File Path field, enter the name of the folder you want that file to exist within.

When you save the changes, UNC Dataverse will automatically create a folder and place the selected file(s) within it. You can view your folder organization using the Tree View.

It should look something like this:

Save a Draft Dataset

Once you’ve completed adding metadata and uploading your files, click ‘Save Dataset’. Your new dataset record will be created as a draft for further review and editing.