What does archiving research data entail?

Archiving research data primarily involves properly storing and maintaining research data, ensuring that it is preserved in a way that allows for future access and use. This means implementing procedures that protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the data over time.

Proper archiving is crucial, as it supports transparency, reproducibility, and accountability in research. Well-archived data can be valuable for future studies, as it provides a resource for researchers to analyze or build upon previous findings. Simply sharing data with the public or creating backup copies does not encompass the full scope of what effective archiving requires.

Additionally, deleting data after a study concludes is counterproductive to the principles of research integrity, as it eliminates the possibility for future verifications, audits, or further investigations based on the original research. Therefore, the key focus of archiving is on the proper storage and maintenance practices that ensure data remains accessible over time.