30 may 2011
Researchers seeking to share or reuse data through a repository need to be sure that the repository takes appropriate measures to ensure the long-term availability and integrity of the data. This is why DANS developed the Data Seal of Approval (DSA) quality mark, which formulates 16 guidelines related to trustworthy data management and stewardship. Since 2009 the DSA has been managed and further developed by an international board.
We are pleased to announce that six repositories have now acquired the DSA: the Archaeology Data Service (ADS, UK), the DANS Electronic Archiving System (EASY, NL), the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR, USA), the Platform for Archiving CINES (PAC, FR), the Language Archive of het Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (NL), and the UK Data Archive.
To receive the Data Seal, a repository must first complete an online self-assessment that gauges its adherence to the guidelines. The assessment is then peer reviewed by the DSA Board before the Data Seal of Approval is awarded. Once the Data Seal is granted, the repository may display the seal on its Web site with a link back to the assessment to provide transparency to repository users.
The DSA has received a positive international response, as it is a relatively light-weight mechanism that functions as a first step towards the more stringent certification methods currently under development in Europe. What’s more, it can be applied to all disciplines. After receiving the DSA Stewart Jeffry from ADS blogged: ‘We are delighted that we have achieved a distinction that reflects so well on all the hard work that our curatorial team have put into ensuring that the ADS conforms to internationally recognised best practice in the area.’
The Data Seal of Approval Board