The Portage Network offers a range of training materials – everything from one page guides to online training modules – that span the research data life cycle.
With the assistance of the Portage Training Expert Group, the Portage Network of Experts continues to develop new bilingual training aids and online modules to support a community of practice for research data management in Canada.
These materials are intended for researchers, library data specialists, research data managers, and discipline and functional experts across the research data landscape.
Training Guides
Brief Guides
Research Data Mgmt |
Data Curation |
Dataverse
|
Dataverse Metadata
|
FRDR
|
Data Management Plans![]() English (PDF) |
Primers
Online Training Modules
Research Data Management (RDM) 101
The Portage Training Expert Group, through the Research Data Management (RDM) 101 Working Group, has developed a series of four learning modules on the basics of RDM. Hosted by Scholars Portal, these modules include an overview of research data and RDM, the research data life cycle, and Canadian RDM policies.
CIHR Research Data Management Learning Module
With the assistance of Portage, CIHR has developed a learning module focusing on key themes, challenges, and considerations in research data management (RDM). This module includes information, tools and resources to support effective RDM practices.
Upcoming
-
- DMPs 101 Training Modules
- Data Repositories 101 Training Modules
- Dataverse 101 Training Modules
- FRDR 101 Training Modules
In-Person Training
This form is intended for those organizing RDM training on Canadian academic campuses, and who would like assistance developing training and guidance materials in all areas of RDM. In responding to requests for training assistance, the Portage Training Expert Group (TEG) will draw upon the wealth of knowledge and expertise of the Portage network to assist applicants in developing educational materials and programs.
Webinars
Portage Webinars
Put Your Work Twenty Times Upon the Anvil: the Challenges of RDM Training — Jonathan Dorey, École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP), Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and Université TÉLUQ in Montréal (January 12 and 13, 2021)
> Recording (English) Recording (French) > Slides (English) Slides (French) > Details
Building RDM Across an Institution: The UBC Library / Advanced Research Computing (ARC) Partnership — Nick Rochlin, University of British Columbia; Doug Brigham, University of British Columbia; Megan Meredith-Lobay, University of British Columbia and Compute Canada (December 1, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
An Introduction to the Compute Canada Federation — Megan Meredith-Lobay, UBC, Compute Canada; Sergiy Stepanenko, University of Saskatchewan, Compute Canada; Lydia Vermeyden, ACENET (Nov 25, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
What are we DOIng about Dynamic Data at Ocean Networks Canada? — Reyna Jenkyns, Chantel Ridsdale, and Melissa Cuthill, Ocean Networks Canada (Nov 24, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Our Common Water Future: Open Data Sharing to Advance Research and Environmental Stewardship — Carolyn DuBois and Patrick LeClair, The Gordon Foundation (November 18, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Using the Open Science Framework to Enhance Your Research Projects — Kevin Read, University of Saskatchewan (November 3, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Full Spectrum Environmental Data Management – A WISKI & Web Portal Overview — Stephen Elgie, KISTERS (October 27, 2020)
> Details
Look Before You Leap: Adventures in Curating and Preserving Research Data — Shahira Khair, University of Victoria, Grant Hurley, Scholars Portal (October 20, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
5 Reasons Why You Should Know the CaSPAr and CUIZINART — Juliane Mai, University of Waterloo (October 14, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Data Summaries: Distilling Best Practices — Dan Phillips, Dalhousie University (October 7, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Enhancing Collaboration and Reproducibility Using GitHub — Jay Brodeur, McMaster University (October 6, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Beginning with the End in Mind — Krysha Dukacz, Global Water Futures and Erin Clary, Portage (September 29, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
(Some) Research Data Management Best Practices! — James Doiron, University of Alberta, and Jane Fry, Carleton University (September 16, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Enabling Painless Reuse of Shared Research Data and Code – Ana Trisovic, Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS), and Qian Zhang, University of Waterloo (August 25, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
The Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS) – Jeff Cullis, CIOOS Atlantic, Reyna Jenkyns, Ocean Networks Canada and CIOOS Pacific, and Lydia Ross, CIOOS Atlantic (July 28, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Research Data Management in Canada: Perceptions and Practices Across the Disciplines – Melissa Cheung, University of Ottawa, Alexandra Cooper, Queen’s University (July 21, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Reducing Risk: An Introduction to Survey Data Anonymization – Kristi Thompson, Western University (July 7, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Tech Tools for RDM Showcase – Meghan Goodchild, Queen’s University and Scholars Portal, Alex Garnett, Simon Fraser University, and Dr. Tim Vines, DataSeer (June 16, 2020)
> Recording > Slides (DataSeer) (Data Curation Tool) (Radiam) > Details
Research Data Preservation in Canada – Beth Knazook, Portage, Corey Davis, University of Victoria and CARL, Jonathan Dorey, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (June 9, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Where is all of the Research Data? – Kevin Read, University of Saskatchewan (June 2, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Surveying Institutional Preparedness for Research Data Management – Shahira Khair, University of Victoria, Alexandra Cooper, Queen’s University, and Dylanne Dearborn, University of Toronto (May 26, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Q & A > Details
Statistics Canada RDC Alternatives: Doing Research Under COVID-19 – Elizabeth Hill, University of Western Ontario, and Kristi Thompson, University of Western Ontario (May 20, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Introduction to Geodisy an Open-source Spatial Discovery Platform – Eugene Barsky, Head of Research Commons at UBC, Mark Goodwin, Metadata Coordinator for the Geodisy project, UBC, and Paul Dante, primary software developer on the Geodisy project, UBC (May 5, 2020) > Recording > Slides > Details
An Introduction to MERIDIAN and the MERIDIAN Discovery Portal – Casey Hilliard, Senior Data Manager, MERIDIAN, Kim Mortimer, Data Manager, MERIDIAN and Sarah Vela, Data Manager, MERIDIAN (April 28, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Teaching RDM in an Online Environment: Best Practices and Support – Melanie Parlette-Stewart, Training Coordinator for Portage Network and Nick Rochlin, RDM Specialist in UBC’s Advanced Research Computing (ARC) team (April 21, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
NDRIO Update with Ghilaine Roquet – Ghilaine Roquet, Interim Director, Planning and Operations at the New Digital Research Infrastructure Organization (NDRIO) (April 7, 2020)
> Recording: English and French > Slides: English and French > Details
Data Management and the Transition to NDRIO – Jeff Moon, Portage Network (March 31, 2020)
> Recording > Slides > Details
Data Management Strategies: Preparing Your Institution: Jasmine Hoover, Scholarly Resources Librarian, Cape Breton University; Erin MacPherson, Research Data Management Librarian, Dalhousie University; Maggie Neilson, Academic Librarian, Acadia University; Lee Wilson, Portage Network Service Manager, Portage/ACENET | April 12, 2019
> Recording > Slides
Forum on Research Data Management: Jeff Moon, Director, Portage Network; Lee Wilson, Service Manager, Portage Network & Research Consultant, ACENET; Amber Leahey, Data Services Metadata Librarian, Scholars Portal; Corey Davis, Digital Preservation Network Coordinator, COPPUL; Jay Brodeur, Maps/Data/GIS Manager, McMaster University; Mark Leggott, Executive Director, RDC; Mike Smit, Associate Professor & Acting Associate Dean (Research), Dalhousie University’s School of Information Management; Erin MacPherson, Research and Instruction Librarian, Dalhousie University Libraries; Jamie MacKenzie, Director of Scholarly Technologies, University of New Brunswick Libraries; Donald Moses, Interim University Librarian, University of Prince Edward Island Robertson Library, & Director of the Office of Skills Development; Donna Bourne-Tyson, CAUL-CBUA Chair & University Librarian, Dalhousie University Libraries | February 26, 2018
> Recording 1 > Recording 2 > Slides – Jeff Moon > Slides – Lee Wilson > Slides – Amber Leahey > Slides – Corey Davis > Slides – Jay Brodeur > Slides – Mike Smit > Slides – Erin MacPherson > Slides – Donald Moses
Current trends in Open Access for Research Data: Erin MacPherson, Research & Instruction Librarian, Dal; Maggie Neilson, Academic Librarian, ACA; and Lee Wilson, ACENET/Portage | October 26, 2017
> Slides
Guest Webinar: The CARL Portage Network: Chuck Humphrey, Portage Network | February 8, 2017
> Recording > Slides
It’s All About the Data: Metadata for Preservation: Steve Marks and Michelle Edwards, CARL| 2013
> Recording
Training Videos
Get Started With FRDR – YouTube
A series of short instructional videos designed to help researchers, data professionals, librarians, and anyone else who is getting started with the Federated Research Data Repository (FRDR) and would like to learn the basics of using the service, setting up an account, and uploading and downloading datasets using Globus File Transfer.
More Resources
RDM Dictionaries and Glossaries
Portage RDM Equivalents in French and English
Data Thesaurus (National Network of Libraries of Medicine)
Research Data Management Glossary (CASRAI)
Selected External Resources
The Portage Training Expert Group has identified and compiled a range of external resources useful for learning and training in the domain of research data management (RDM), which we invite you to browse and explore.
Featured Resources
MANTRA
A series of self-directed online modules developed at the University of Edinburgh covering a range of RDM subjects, which target researchers who manage digital data and professionals who support them. Modules provide an introduction to research data, data management plans, organising data, file formats and transformation, documentation and metadata, storage and security, and more.
A series of ten training modules on various subjects relating to RDM, with associated handouts and supporting hands-on exercises. All materials are released under a creative commons license. Topics covered include an introduction on the importance of data management, data sharing, data management planning, data entry and manipulation, quality control, data protection, metadata, data citation, analysis and workflows, and legal and policy issues.
A series of ten training modules on various subjects relating to RDM, with associated handouts and supporting hands-on exercises. All materials are released under a creative commons license. Topics covered include an introduction on the importance of data management, data sharing, data management planning, data entry and manipulation, quality control, data protection, metadata, data citation, analysis and workflows, and legal and policy issues.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE FULL LIST OF RESOURCES
Additional Expert Group Publications
- Research Data Preservation in Canada, by members of the Portage Preservation Expert Group. May 2018. (PDF)
- Metadata for Discovery : Disciplinary Standards and Crosswalk Progress Report, by members of the Portage Data Discovery Expert Group – Metadata Working Group, September 2017 (PDF)
- Collections Development Working Group : Phase One Report, by members of the Portage Data Discovery Expert Group – Collections Development Working Group, August 2017 (PDF)
- Research Data Management Training Landscape in Canada, by members of the Portage Training Expert Group, January 2017 (PDF)
- Research Data Discovery and the Scholarly Ecosystem in Canada, by members of the Portage Data Discovery Expert Group, July 2016 (PDF)
- DMP Assistant Institutional Customization Guide 1.0, by members of the Portage DMP Customization Working Group (a subset of the Portage DMP Management Expert Group), July 2016 (PDF) (HTML)
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.
Metadata Guidance
Dataverse North Metadata Best Practices Guide V 2.0 (PDF)
This guide is intended for anyone who is depositing data in a Dataverse repository and needs to create metadata. It provides official definitions of metadata fields; adds clarifications and tips where needed; distinguishes between required, recommended, and optional fields; and illustrates the use of each field with an example. Earlier versions of the guide covered the fields in the Citation Metadata block. Version 2.0 adds coverage for fields in the Geospatial Metadata and Social Sciences and Humanities Metadata blocks.
DMP Exemplars
Digital Humanities
- Data Management Plan for Belgians and French in the Prairies
- Data Management Plan: Soundscape Study
- Data Management Plan for Women’s Print History Project (1750-1830)
Digital Humanities and Secondary Data
Mixed Methods
Natural Sciences
- Data Management Plan for Ecohydrology Research Group
- Data Management Plan for Computational reproducibility in High-Performance Computing (HPC)
Social Sciences
- Data Management Plan for People, Places, Policies and Prospects: Affordable Rental Housing for Those in Greatest Need
- Data Management Plan for Usage of Academic Profile Websites