Show More Show Less

Open Research Data Repository

Learn more about the Open Research Data Repository (Salford Figshare).

What is the Open Research Data Repository?

The Open Research Data Repository, Salford Figshare, enables researchers to share research data and other digital research outputs so that they can be discovered, accessed, cited and reused.

The repository supports the University's commitment to make research data as open as possible and as restricted as necessary. Published outputs receive a persistent identifier (DOI), helping to increase the visibility and impact of your research.

Getting started

Before depositing data, you will need a Salford Figshare account.

Accessing your account

  1. Visit Salford Figshare.
  2. Click Log in to check whether you already have an account.
  3. If you cannot log in, contact library-research@salford.ac.uk to request an account.
  4. Review the University's Data Depositor Agreement.

Once your account has been created, return to Salford Figshare and log in.

Linking to your ORCID iD

Researchers are encouraged to connect their OCRID iD to Figshare wherever possible.

Connecting your accounts:

  • enables outputs to be connected across research systems
  • helps ensure datasets are represented in institutional systems such as USIR
  • improves attribution and credit for research data

What should be deposited?

The Open Research Data Repository is designed to support the sharing, preservation and citation of research outputs with long-term value.

The repository is primarily intended for:

Output Figshare
Research data that underpins publications, theses or other research outputs ✓
Datasets with potential value for future research or reuse ✓
Audio and video files associated with research ✓
Software, code, and other digital research outputs that support research findings ✓
Collections of related research outputs ✓
Outputs that will iterate, requiring version control  ✓

All outputs deposited in the open research data repository are subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Data Depositor Agreement.

What not to deposit

Salford Figshare is not intended to be a general-purpose storage solution. The repository should not normally be used for:

  • duplicate copies of data already deposited elsewhere
  • large datasets that are permanently restricted from access
  • administrative or project management documents

Researchers should carefully appraise and select research data before deposit.

Depositing research data

Upload files and supporting documentation

After logging in:

  1. Navigate to My Content.
  2. Select + Create New.
  3. Choose the most appropriate item type.

Salford Figshare supports all file types and formats for upload, with a limit of up to 500 files per record. A wide variety of file types are supported for in-browser viewing and visualisation. Folders can be directly uploaded while still maintaining the folder structure.

Alongside your research data, you should upload documentation that helps others understand and reuse the data, such as:

  • README files
  • data dictionaries
  • codebooks
  • methodological documentation

Good documentation improves the discoverability, transparency, and reuse of research data.

Complete metadata fields

Metadata describes your output and helps others find, understand, and reuse it.

Certain metadata fields are mandatory and are marked with an asterisk (*). Metadata fields may vary depending on the item type you have selected.

Metadata field Information required
Title* Use a meaningful title that describes the dataset rather than simply repeating a file name.
Group* Select University of Salford unless advised otherwise.
Authors* Add all creators of the output. Where possible, researchers should maintain and use their ORCID iD to support attribution and discovery.
Categories* Select one or multiple categories the output best correlates with.
Keywords* Add keywords which will help to make your output more discoverable.
Description* Provide sufficient detail for others to discover, understand, and reuse the data. Include information about methodology, data collection, processing, and reuse potential.
Funding Add funder and grant information where applicable.
Related materials Link related publications, datasets, software, project websites, or other research outputs.
Licence* Select a licence that clearly explains how the data can be accessed and reused.

Review and publication

All submissions are reviewed by the Library Open Research Team before they are made publicly available.

The review process helps ensure that:

  • metadata is complete and sufficiently descriptive
  • licences and access conditions are appropriate
  • persistent identifiers and related links are functioning correctly
  • documentation is available to support understanding and reuse
  • obvious personal, confidential, commercially sensitive, or otherwise restricted information has not been included unintentionally
  • deposited materials do not appear to contain third-party copyright content that may not be licensed for sharing

The review process is not a peer review of the research itself. Researchers remain responsible for the accuracy, quality, and content of deposited materials.

Storage and quotas

Each user is allocated 10 GB of personal storage by default. This can be increased up to 100 GB where justified.

Researchers can also create Projects, which provide collaborative workspaces for research teams. Project storage is separate from an individual's personal quota.

Standard project allocation:

  • 50 GB per project
  • up to 500 GB where required

Requesting additional storage

To request additional storage:

  1. Log in to Salford Figshare.
  2. Navigate to My Content.
  3. Select Manage Storage.
  4. Enter the amount of storage required (in GB).
  5. Submit the request.

The Library Open Research Team will review your request and an automated email will notify you of the outcome.

Versioning

Versioning allows significant updates to be made to published outputs while preserving earlier versions. Users can view, download, and cite earlier versions alongside the latest version.

New versions are reviewed by the Library Open Research Team before publication.

Refer to the Figshare user guide for details of actions that trigger a new version.

Access restrictions and embargoes

The Open Research Data Repository supports a range of access conditions, including open access, temporary embargoes, and permanently restricted access.

Where access restrictions are applied, you should clearly explain the reason for the restriction.

Metadata describing the dataset should remain publicly visible wherever possible, even when access to the underlying data is restricted.

Permanent embargo

Where a dataset must remain permanently inaccessible, access can be restricted using Figshare's embargo functionality.

Please note the open research data repository will not accept deposits of over 10 GB if access to the data is permanently restricted. In such cases, local storage and a metadata-only record is a more appropriate option.

Limited period embargo

Embargoes can be applied for a defined period, for example:

  • pending publication
  • commercial exploitation
  • patent applications
  • funder requirements

Researchers can select a predefined embargo period or specify a release date after which the data will become available.

FAQs

Who reviews submissions?

All submissions, including revisions, are reviewed by the Library Open Research team before publication.

Can I update a dataset after publication?

Yes. New versions can be created where significant changes are required.

Can I deposit data before publication of a related journal article?

Yes. Data can be deposited ahead of publication and a DOI can be reserved for use in a data access statement.

Is Salford Figshare a data storage solution?

No, the repository is intended to help researchers share valuable research data and comply with funder requirements. 

Can I use Salford Figshare for Practice as Research outputs?

Yes. The Practice as Research (PaR) Centre has a dedicated Group structure within Salford Figshare which enables researchers to organise diverse creative outputs into collections and portfolios.

This functionality can be used to support the presentation of Practice as Research outputs, including portfolios that may contribute to REF submissions.

Researchers using Salford Figshare for Practice as Research should consult the dedicated PaR guidance and notify the Library Open Research Team when submitting a portfolio.

Is Salford Figshare the same as Figshare.com?

No, Salford Figshare is a separate repository which is publicly accessible but only available for Salford researchers to deposit data. Figshare.com is a general repository available for anyone to use.

Please check you are using salford.figshare.com before depositing your data.

Can I cite my Figshare output?

Yes. First, click on the ‘Cite’ button underneath the title of your published output. Then choose the appropriate citation style and whether to copy the whole citation or just the output’s DOI.

How are research outputs preserved on Figshare?

Research data published in Figshare is pushed to Arkivum to ensure long-term preservation. Arkivum is a digital archive and preservation solution which is integrated with the University’s Figshare repository.

Can outputs be deleted once they are published?

In exceptional circumstances, it is possible for an administrator to unpublish your output on Figshare. A ‘tombstone’ record with the reason for removal is created after unpublishing.

Contact the research support team if you need further information.