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Storing data

STORING

Secure storage is essential during your research project. It will prevent accidental loss and unauthorised access to your data. If you are working with external research partners or sharing data between project co-investigators, it is important that data is kept secure during transfer. The use of portable devices or personal cloud services are not recommended for storage or transfer.

The University offers secure storage for your live research data. All services are suitable for storing sensitive data.

Please refer to the Information Classification control procedure for further details and handling requirements.

  • OneDrive

    OneDrive is available for students. Files can be shared with others in the University as well as external collaborators.

  • Research data storage

    For research staff, the University provides a secure and centrally managed Research Data Storage (RDS) service. To request access, see the Research Data Storage intranet pages.

    RDS provides a default of 10 TB (10,240 GB) of data storage. If you anticipate you will require more storage, you should still submit an application. This way we can ensure enough storage is allocated.

    If data cannot go into RDS, you will need to complete a risk assessment. Please contact [email protected]. 

    Contact IT and Digital (IT&D) for software support.

  • Dropbox business

    For projects that will be collaborating with external researchers, or when connectivity is unreliable, research staff have access to Dropbox business. You will find more information on Dropbox business and how to get started on the intranet pages. 

    Contact IT and Digital (IT&D) for software support.

Storage video

Data Storage

Archive Data

At the end of your project, you will need to evaluate which data can be destroyed, which data can be shared, and which data must be retained (archived) for legal, regulatory, or contractual purposes.

If you have no alternative requirements from a research funder, the University requires you to keep research data for 10 years after the end of the project. See Manchester Met’s retention and disposal schedule.

Archived data must be prepared for long-term preservation but is not publicly available. Such data may include data that are not anonymised, consent forms, funding proposals, ethical approvals, correspondence, associated documentation or contracts, project-related governance documents, etc.

The University provides secure storage to archive research data. To archive your data:

  • Ensure that your data are in appropriate formats for long-term preservation: recommended formats  
  • Request your data be archived in RDS via the IT Assist self-service portal. Your RDS folder will be made read-only.
  • If your data are not already in RDS, you will need to request an RDS folder through the IT Assist self-service portal.
  • Doctoral students should contact your supervisor, who can arrange for data to be archived on your behalf.

If you have any questions or would like support preparing your data, please contact us at [email protected]

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