Dataverse is open source data repository software which allows researchers, journals, and institutions to better manage research data. The Dataverse North Working Group is contributing to a community of practice for libraries using or interested in using the Dataverse repository platform for research data in Canada. Its goal is to bring together Dataverse providers and libraries to coordinate and discuss local and national training, support services, outreach strategies, promotions, and infrastructure development and needs. The group is also investigating gaps and opportunities that could be addressed by nationally coordinated strategies and services for Dataverse, including training, infrastructure development, support for researchers and libraries, and hosting services provided by regional Dataverse providers.
Current areas of interest include the development of instructional materials and metadata guidance for librarians and researchers. The Dataverse North Metadata Best Practices Guide offers general guidance on data citation, and includes discipline-specific examples across a range of areas including geospatial data. The Dataverse North WG is also helping to develop a policy framework for Scholars Portal Dataverse, including a set of templates that can be adopted or modified for use by other data repositories.
Terms of Reference for the Dataverse North Working Group
For more information about this group, or to become a member, contact portage@carl-abrc.ca.
Members
- Lisa Goddard, University of Victoria (Chair)
- Eugene Barsky, University of British Columbia
- Teresa Bascik, Université de Montréal
- Philippe Boisvert, Université Laval
- Carrie Breton, University of Guelph
- Alexandra Cooper, Queen’s University
- Jean-Yves Côte, HEC Montréal
- Corey Davis, Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries
- James Doiron, University of Alberta
- Alison Farrell, Memorial University
- Martine Gagnon, Université Laval
- Meghan Goodchild, Queen’s University/Scholars Portal
- Mark Goodwin, University of British Columbia
- Siobhan Hanratty, University of New Brunswick
- John Huck, University of Alberta
- Alexander Jerabek, Université de Québec à Montréal
- Amber Leahey, Scholar’s Portal
- Erin MacPherson, Dalhousie University
- Kaitlin Newson, Scholars Portal
- Kathryn Ruddock, University of Calgary
- Diane Sauvé, Université de Montréal
- Michael Steeleworthy, Wilfrid Laurier University
- Kristi Thompson, Western University
- Barbara Znamirowski, Trent University
Dataverse Policy Group
This group works to develop draft policies that can be adopted by Dataverse providers across Canada and around the world. The group examines examples of policy from international repositories, and makes recommendations for draft policies around collection and retention, information security, and more.
Members
- Corey Davis, University of Victoria (Chair)
- Meghan Goodchild, Queen’s University/Scholars Portal
- Alexander Jerabek, Université de Québec à Montréal
- Amber Leahey, Scholars Portal
- Diane Sauvé, Université de Montréal
- Kristi Thompson, Western University
Dataverse Training Group
This group works with the Portage Training Expert Group [link] to identify desirable types of Dataverse training for various audiences, to gather and propose models for sharing existing materials, and to assess and evaluate Dataverse as a tool for different types of data.
Members
- Carrie Breton, University of Guelph (co-Chair)
- Siobhan Hanratty, University of New Brunswick (co-Chair)
- Jean-Yves Côte, HEC Montréal
- James Doiron, University of Alberta
- Alison Farrell, Memorial University
- Erin MacPherson, Dalhousie University
- Kaitlin Newson, Scholars Portal
- Kathryn Ruddock, University of Calgary
- Barb Znamirowski, Trent University
Dataverse Metadata Group
This group works to provide recommendations for metadata templates, create recommendations for labeling, describing and organizing files, and provide recommendations for DOIs and other unique identifiers.
Members
- Mark Goodwin, University of British Columbia (Co-Chair)
- John Huck, University of Alberta (Co-Chair)
- Teresa Bascik, Université de Montréal
- Alexandra Cooper, Queen’s University
- Amber Leahey, Scholars Portal
- Kelly Stathis, Portage
- Mike Steeleworthy, Wilfrid Laurier University
DNWG Publications
Metadata Guidance
- Dataverse North Metadata Best Practices Guide V2.0, by members of the Portage Metadata subgroup of the Dataverse North Working Group. February 2020. (PDF). V2.0 supersedes V1.1 (PDF) and V1.0 (PDF).
Repositories Guidance
Repository Options in Canada: A Portage Guide (PDF)
Portage supports two national repository options: the Federated Research Data Repository (FRDR) and Dataverse North. As a part of Portage’s Federated Architecture Model, we have partnered with Compute Canada, OCUL Scholars Portal, and institutions offering Dataverse to provide hosted repository options that do not require installing, configuring, patching, or upgrading by individual institutions or researchers.
Training Materials
Brief guide
English (PDF) Bilingual (PDF) |
Primer
English (PDF) |
Reports
- Dataverse North Working Group: Year 1 Recommendations, by members of the Portage Dataverse North Working Group, March 2018 (PDF)
- Recommendations for a National Dataverse Service, by members of the Portage Dataverse North Working Group’s Business Models Subgroup, February 2018 (PDF)
