Depositing data

The Observatory is also interested in archiving the personal network data collected by other researchers.

Benefits of sharing for the depositors

As the Observatory is a thematic archive, it provides the scientific community with an overview of empirical research in the field of personal network analysis. Making your data available in OPeN therefore increases the visibility of your research. Also, it increases its potential impact. Other researchers, even from seemingly remote disciplines, may show interest in your data and may wish to investigate issues you may not have the desire or resources to pursue. As they are required to cite the data file in all publications based on your data, your name will appear in citation indices. Data sharing is one avenue through which an investigator may develop contacts with others who are interested in similar variables. Depositing data in OPeN can also help you meet contractual or ethical obligations toward the funding bodies and the respondents.
Access to your data is subject to the conditions you specify. Also, if you wish so, you will be informed every time that researchers request access to your data.

Procedure of deposit

If you are interested in sharing the personal network data you have collected as a principal investigator in OPeN, please contact Miranda Lubbers at
MirandaJessica.Lubbers@uab.cat.
Please note that we can only accept data if researchers can show that respondents have signed consent forms for participation in the original research project, or if data collection has been authorized by an IRB or similar independent ethics committee. The procedure for depositing data further involves completing a data collection deposit form, which collects the information necessary for constructing the catalogue record, and signing a licence agreement, which specifies the rights and responsibilities of both parties and authorises the Observatory to preserve and to distribute the data collection under the terms and conditions specified. After mutually signing the agreement, the investigator can deposit the data and the relevant documentation. Data will need to be anonymized and will be subject to a review to check completeness of data and their consistency with documentation before cataloguing the project.