FAQ

Research data refers to digital material that can serve as the basis for scientific analysis, regardless of the research discipline.

The term “open access to research data” means that research data, including metadata, are made openly and freely accessible unless there are obstacles preventing this. The principle entails that access to, and use of research data should only be restricted when it is necessary to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and agreements. Not all research data can be made openly accessible due to reasons such as confidentiality, information security requirements, personal data protection, or risks to Sweden’s national security. 

In practice, research data, including metadata, are made accessible according to the principle “as open as possible, as restricted as necessary.”

Metadata is structured information used to describe and categorize digital information – essentially, “data about data.” Metadata helps users find and understand key characteristics of a specific research dataset, for example, the methods used for data collection.

Anonymized data are data that have been de-identified, meaning that all possibilities of identifying a living individual have been removed. This includes destroying key codes and encryption keys and ensuring that no indirect identification is possible. Anonymized data are not subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or related legislation and can be made openly accessible. 

For more information on handling personal data, see SND’s handbook for data containing personal informationOpens in a new tab.

There is an increasing demand for openness in publicly funded research, and many scientific journals now require authors to make their research data accessible. Sharing research data benefits both the research community and society at large by promoting transparency, enabling new research and innovation, and facilitating the use of data beyond academia. For individual researchers, increased visibility and data citation can also be motivating factors.

A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a type of persistent identifier – a unique and permanent link to data that remains unchanged regardless of where the data files are stored. The purpose of a DOI is to enable accurate citation of research data and to indicate which version of the data has been used. Many academic journals require data to be accessible and assigned a DOI as a condition for publication. 

When reusing data, it is important to acknowledge its source and the original creator. This means including a DOI or another persistent identifier and giving proper credit and reference to the data creator/primary researcher in your document.

In research data catalogues, metadata records often provide pre-formatted citations that can be easily copied. These citations typically follow standard referencing styles such as American Psychological Association (APA), Harvard, or Oxford.