Tools
This list is by no means a complete overview of all available tools and will, in many cases, also be specific to the norms within the given research field, but it will hopefully provide inspiration for useful tools.
DMPonline — Data Management planning
DMPOnline is a system that can help you write a data management plan. The system works by asking you a series of questions, to which you can provide text responses. These are then compiled into a comprehensive data management plan.
Depending on the size of the project and the recipient of the data management plan, you can choose from a variety of templates. For example, if you need to write a data management plan for a 'Horizon Europe' project, there is a specific template tailored for that purpose.
AU, in collaboration with AU Library, offers support for DMPOnline.
Links:
AU Library data management
DMPOnline is a system that can help you write a data management plan. The system works by asking you a series of questions, to which you can provide text responses. These are then compiled into a comprehensive data management plan.
Depending on the size of the project and the recipient of the data management plan, you can choose from a variety of templates. For example, if you need to write a data management plan for a 'Horizon Europe' project, there is a specific template tailored for that purpose.
AU, in collaboration with AU Library, offers support for DMPOnline.
Links:
AU Library data management
ERDA and SIF — storage system for Research data
Electronic Research Data Archive (ERDA) and Sensitive Information Facility (SIF) are AU's systems designed for the storage, sharing, analysis, and archiving of research data.
ERDA/SIF provides secure, centralized storage for personal and shared files, interactive analysis tools, and archiving facilities for data security and publication. ERDA/SIF can be used as a secure network drive, no matter where you are.
SIF is specifically aimed at storing and sharing sensitive data, including personally identifiable data classified as sensitive under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has particularly strict requirements for data storage.
The system also allows for DOI generation.
It is not mandatory to use ERDA/SIF to store your research data, as long as you have an alternative that meets the FAIR principles. In some research fields, there are approved international data repositories where it is considered 'best practice' to deposit data.
Labbook — electronic notebook
AU Labbook is a web-based system for research documentation and collaboration, based on Atlassian Confluence. The system is supported and run by the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Faculty of Technological Sciences and is offered (and recommended) as a platform for documenting your research.
Documenting research progress and data is important, and Labbook supports this in a flexible manner that
- facilitates easy collaboration and mentoring of research projects,
- facilitates easy sharing of information about e.g. equipment, protocols and ressources,
- supports research integrity by logging of editing events and daily backups on AU servers,
- keeps data confidential within your research group to be compatible with patenting law.
The system is available at labbook.au.dk where you can login using your AU-ID. When you first login you will be able to access tutorial material and to make your own personal space. To have more information available you should contact the user administrator at your workplace who can give you access to your department space and create a space for your research group.
ORCID — unique identification of researchers
ORCID is an organization and service that provides a digital ID unique to you as a researcher. A unique ORCID ID helps ensure that you are correctly identified and not mistaken for other researchers with the same or similar names. Your ORCID ID is permanent and can be used throughout your research career.
In addition to identifying you, ORCID can also be used to collect your publications and research activities in one place, including the publications you have registered in Pure.
Git — version control of code and text
Version control is an essential tool for researchers working with software code, data, and other digital resources. It is software designed to keep track of multiple iterations of a project, allowing users to easily access, compare, and work on different versions of their work over time. Git is a popular version control system widely used in the research environment due to its powerful tools and flexibility. By using Git, researchers can easily collaborate with peers, manage workflows, and explore different branches of experiments while ensuring that all changes are well-documented and searchable.
In addition to Git itself, the web-based Git repository hosting platforms GitHub.com and GitLab.com provide tools for software development teams to collaborate on code projects. Both platforms offer many similar features such as code reviews, issue tracking, and project management tools.
AU has its own Git hosting platform, based on GitLab, gitlab.au.dk. Here, you can have an unlimited number of private and/or public repositories, and you can log in using your regular AU login. This platform allows you to store code and texts without sharing them outside AU.