PARADISEC’s ‘Data Seal of Approval’

dsa_logo
As we approach our tenth year of operation, it is gratifying that PARADISEC has achieved this seal of approval (DSA), based on 16 criteria (listed below, and see how we meet these criteria here: https://assessment.datasealofapproval.org/assessment_75/seal/html/). We have been a five-star Open Language Archives Community repository for some time, which also means that we are one of the 1800 archives whose catalog and metadata conform to the Open Archives Initiative standards, but the DSA looks more broadly at the whole process of the repository, from accession of records, through their description and curation and to disaster management. This is important for our depositors to know as they can be sure that their research output is properly described and curated, and can be found using various search tools, including google, but more specifically the Australian National Data Service, OLAC and the WorldCat, and also the aggregated information served in the Virtual Language Observatory.


DSA Criteria
1. The data producer deposits the research data in a data repository with sufficient information for others to assess the scientific and scholarly quality of the research data and compliance with disciplinary and ethical norms.
2. The data producer provides the research data in formats recommended by the data repository.
3. The data producer provides the research data together with the metadata requested by the data repository.
4. The data repository has an explicit mission in the area of digital archiving and promulgates it.
5. The data repository uses due diligence to ensure compliance with legal regulations and contracts including, when applicable, regulations governing the protection of human subjects.
6. The data repository applies documented processes and procedures for managing data storage.
7. The data repository has a plan for long-term preservation of its digital assets.
8. Archiving takes place according to explicit work flows across the data life cycle.
9. The data repository assumes responsibility from the data producers for access and availability of the digital objects.
10. The data repository enables the users to utilize the research data and refer to them.
11. The data repository ensures the integrity of the digital objects and the metadata.
12. The data repository ensures the authenticity of the digital objects and the metadata.
13. The technical infrastructure explicitly supports the tasks and functions described in internationally accepted archival standards like OAIS.
14. The data consumer complies with access regulations set by the data repository.
15. The data consumer conforms to and agrees with any codes of conduct that are generally accepted in higher education and scientific research for the exchange and proper use of knowledge and information.
16. The data consumer respects the applicable licenses of the data repository regarding the use of the research data.