A data repository is an online platform that collects, archives, and makes accessible data associated with research.

drUM (an acronym for ‘Data Repository at the University of Malta) is the UM’s data repository. It is powered by an online software platform called Figshare and its main purpose is to collect, archive, organise, and disseminate data produced by UM researchers. All content in drUM is managed by the UM Library.

Depositing your data in drUM makes it widely available to anyone around the world. It also increases the visibility of the data, thus greatly enhancing its potential for reuse. Furthermore, drUM ensures long-term preservation and assigns each item a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), the most commonly used identifier in academia.

Depositing your data in drUM is a straightforward process that takes less than 10 minutes. All that is required is to fill in the metadata form and upload the data file. Detailed instructions on how to proceed with the uploading of data can be found at drUM Help. The UM Library also organises regular group workshops, as well as, on-demand one-to-one training sessions to support researchers with the depositing process. 

The data that can be deposited in drUM should meet the following criteria:

• It should be processed, i. e. have undergone some level of transformation, analysis, or manipulation to make it usable and meaningful
• It should be produced under the auspices of the UM
• It should be in a digital format (all file types are allowed)
• It should not contain any sensitive, restricted, or confidential information

Metadata refers to additional informative data that explains and describes the characteristics, context, and provenance of a dataset. This provides other researchers with the information needed to understand, reuse and build further on the data, as well as, making the data more retrievable.

The data can be deposited in one of the following levels of access:

• Open Access -  data is made instantly available for anyone worldwide
• Embargo Access - access to the data will be limited only to the depositor - however, metadata is immediately available for anyone worldwide. drUM offers various options for embargo; items can be placed in Permanent Embargo (indefinitely) or for a definite period. Once the embargo period elapses, the data will be made available in Open Access. Permanently embargoed items can be changed to Open Access at the request of the principal investigator, subject to licence compliance.

It is the responsibility of the principal investigator to select the appropriate level of access for the data. This might depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, the type of data, moral or ethical considerations, or grant requirements.

While the main purpose of drUM is the indefinite preservation and dissemination of research data, in certain cases, specific data can be withdrawn. Such cases are explicitly described in the drUM Withdrawal Policy.

The accompanying metadata can be edited at any time. drUM supports versioning which means that a new version of the data can be added to the metadata record while preserving any and all earlier versions. More information can be found here.

Each data file deposited in drUM is subject to review by the drUM Team. The approval process usually takes from one to three days. Once approved, the data will appear in drUM in the respective collection.

No. The main purpose of drUM is the indefinite preservation and dissemination of research data produced under the auspices of the UM. The data can be withdrawn only in cases explicitly stated in the drUM Withdrawal Policy.