Navigate the Research Data Lifecyle with Support from the Library

Enhancing your research, growing your impact 

At the McLaughlin Library, we’re here to support you as you navigate the entire research data lifecycle, from developing a data management plan (DMP) to analyzing your data to depositing it so it can be reused by others. U of G researchers of all levels can receive support from the library – whether you’re an undergraduate student, graduate student, or faculty members — we have the expertise to support you.  

Working with Data 

As a U of G researcher, we can help you in the beginning stages with finding published data. Then, we can support you along the way — whether that means supporting you with data cleaning and preparation, data analysis, geospatial (GIS) analysis, text analysis, or data visualization. We have specialists who can help you navigate the research terrain in the form of one-on-one data appointments, in workshops, or via online resources. 

Maps, GIS, and Data Online Resources 

Some online resources you may find helpful are: 

• Analyze Data Using SPSS: This guide provides an overview of IBM’s Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, how to access it as a member of the U of G community, and how to use it to analyze your data. 

• Data Visualization: This guide outlines what data visualization is, reasons to visualize your data, understanding the data visualization process, chart types, design considerations, and more.  

• Find Geospatial Data: This guide defines what geospatial data is, how to find it, why you may need it, and more. 

• Indigenous Data Sovereignty: This guide focuses on Indigenous peoples’ rights to control data related to their communities and lands. It emphasizes principles like ownership, control, access, and possession for managing Indigenous data. 

• Licensing Datasets in the U of G Repositories: This guide emphasizes the importance of applying appropriate licenses to research data to clarify usage rights and promote proper data utilization. 

• Organizing Your Research Data: This guide was designed to benefit U of G researchers and outlines the best practices needed for organizing research data. 

• Research Data Management (RDM) Overview: This guide provides a comprehensive introduction to RDM, outlining best practices for organizing, storing, sharing, and preserving research data throughout at projects lifecycle. 

• U of G Research Data Repository Guide: This guide outlines the benefits of depositing research data, including compliance with data management requirements and increased research visibility. 

Find more data-specific online resources. 

U of G Research Data Repositories 

Depositing your data helps strengthen your global research impact. Open access institutional repositories provide free, secure access to data. At the library, we can answer your questions and support you in: 

• Preparing your work for deposit in a repository, using best practices that promote data that is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). 

• Depositing your work in our data repositories.  

• Complying with data deposit requirements or policies, like the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy, by making your work available in an institutional repository. 

• Understanding your rights as an author, so that you can preserve and share your work, while still complying with publisher and/or funder agreements. 

• Choosing and applying appropriate licensing for your data. 

The library maintains the University of Guelph Research Data Repositories, an institutional repository for U of G researchers to deposit research datasets. “Depositing research data in a repository boosts visibility, making it easier for others to find and reuse the data while also fostering collaboration, supporting reproducibility, ensuring compliance with funder and publisher requirements, and accelerating scientific discovery,” said Carrie Breton, repository analyst, Research & Scholarship. 

Data and Research Focused Workshops 

The library offers workshops designed to support U of G researchers. Workshops are offered each semester and focus on a variety of topics at different stages of the research data lifecycle. Whether you’re just getting started with your research and want to set yourself up for success, or you’re ready to publish your data, there is something for you. View all upcoming workshops. 

Questions?

Contact us. We’re happy to help.