{"id":3844,"date":"2026-01-22T07:58:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T07:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fdm-nds.de\/?page_id=3844"},"modified":"2026-01-28T07:14:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T07:14:06","slug":"step-5-data-archiving","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fdm-nds.de\/index.php\/en\/step-5-data-archiving\/","title":{"rendered":"Step 5: Data archiving"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Step 5: Data archiving” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||17px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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Introduction<\/h2>\n

When sharing and publishing data, the duration of data storage and retention initially plays a secondary role. According to the DFG’s guidelines for good scientific practice<\/a>, research data should be retained for \u201can appropriate period of time,\u201d which generally covers a period of 10 years. [1]<\/p>\n

A backup is not an archive \u2013 long-term reliable backup of digital information is only possible in a \u201creal\u201d digital archive.<\/p>\n

Long-term backup and permanent storage and maintenance over 10 years is called long-term archiving; in the case of digital data, this is referred to as digital long-term archiving (DLTA).<\/p>\n

For digital (long-term) archiving, research data must meet certain requirements so that it remains reusable over a long period of time, i.e., it can be reproduced and interpreted in the long term without loss. [2] The major challenge for long-term archiving is therefore to preserve data, metadata<\/a>, and documents in such a way that both the readability of the files and the interpretability of their contents are guaranteed. Long-term archiving is subject to constant technical and socio-cultural change. The use of data formats that are as open and non-proprietary as possible is recommended.<\/p>\n

Long-term archiving has three key areas: 1. documenting research data, 2. storing it for the long term, and 3. providing access to the data. [3]<\/p>\n

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Why should data be archived? [4]<\/h3>\n