The DIGIS Data Repository is a new research data repository in the Earth Sciences domain with a specific focus on geochemical data. It is hosted at GFZ Data Services in collaboration with the DIGIS project. The DIGIS Data Repository archives, publishes and makes accessible user-contributed, peer-reviewed research data that fall within the scope of the GEOROC database. Please note that it is DIGIS policy to publish datasets only if they are associated with a research publication. For any inquiries or issues, please contact the DIGIS curatorial staff at digis-info@uni-goettingen.de.
Repository Scope
The repository is domain-specific, offering curation and review of user-submitted data in a variety of Earth Science disciplines. However, data must be within the scope of the GEOROC database: only geochemical and isotopic compositional data of rocks, glasses, minerals and inclusions are accepted. Data must have been obtained and produced following Good Research Practice.
We reserve the right to reject datasets from publication if, upon curatorial review, the submitted data type is considered outside of the repository scope. If you are unsure whether your data are within the scope of the DIGIS Data Repository, please check with our curatorial staff before starting your data submission. Whenever possible, our staff will provide alternative repositories that would better suit your data type.
Upon submission you will receive a reserved DOI and a private share link to your dataset. This private URL may be used for confidential peer review. The DOI will only be activated once the related manuscript has been accepted for publication in an internationally recognised, peer-reviewed journal, at which time your dataset will be published and become publicly accessible.
Data submissions to the DIGIS Data Repository must adhere to the minimum metadata requirements outlined in Goldstein et al. (2014). Metadata associated with submitted data will be reviewed during the submission process. However, the completeness and correctness of (meta)data is the responsibility of the contributor.
The DIGIS Data Repository conducts a review for quality of sample and analytical metadata, not a review of geochemical data. The author of the dataset is responsible for ensuring geochemical data submitted to GEOROC is quality data.
There are three types of dataset you can publish with the DIGIS Data Repository:
- New Datasets: First publication of new analyses associated with a new manuscript as part of the journal submission and review process.
- Compiled (Expert) Datasets: First publication or republication of a data compilation that may include new data combined with analyses from previous publications. The value of such data compilations serves a specific research topic and is based on data selection, filtering and (re)structuring according to the scope of an associated published journal article or a manuscript in the journal submission and review process.
- Aggregated Datasets: Collection of data on the same samples, however, from a range of different previous publications. Such data aggregations may or may not be associated with a published manuscript or the journal submission and review process. Data collections from scattered publications on the same sample materials serve the community to enhance the value of each published individual dataset and the associated analysed samples.
Submission Workflow
The GEOROC Data Repository provides an easy-to-use DOI-service for geochemical data submission during a manuscript review process with the following steps:
- Download and Complete Data Templates: Download the appropriate submission template(s) for your data from the options provided below. Ensure that all relevant analytical, mineralogical and geological metadata are thoroughly documented, including accurate geographic coordinates. These metadata are essential for compliance with the FAIR principles for research data (Wilkinson et al., 2016) and are critical for the eventual inclusion of your dataset in the GEOROC database. If not already done, consider registering your samples through the SESAR2 platform to obtain IGSN identifiers.
- Submit Metadata and Data Templates: After completing the relevant data template(s), proceed to metadata submission via the GFZ Metadata Editor. Upload the DIGIS submission metadata template (provided below) using the "Load Metadata" button located in the menu on the right. If known, the DOI of the related journal publication should be included in the template. Once completed, submit the metadata directly to GFZ Data Services using the "Submit Metadata" button on the right-hand side. Following metadata submission through the GFZ Data Services portal, ensure that the completed data templates are sent via email to both DIGIS staff (digis-info@uni-goettingen.de) and GFZ Data Services staff (datapub@gfz-potsdam.de).
- Metadata and Data Review: Upon successful submission of both metadata and data templates, repository staff will review the provided metadata and the submitted data file(s) for completeness and ensure that all necessary information is included in the draft dataset. If additional information is required, the DIGIS and/or GFZ Data Services curators will contact the data submitter directly via email.
- Reserved DOI and Data Review Link: Once the submitted metadata and data templates have been curated by DIGIS and GFZ staff, the dataset will be assigned a reserved DOI through GFZ Data Services. A private “data-in-review” link will also be generated to facilitate the confidential review of the associated manuscript, as increasingly requested by journals. During the moratorium period, the dataset will be accessible only to the authors, editors and reviewers, who have been provided the review link.
- Dataset Publication and DOI Registration: After the manuscript peer-review has concluded (including any necessary revisions to the dataset), authors must notify the DIGIS and GFZ Data Services staff of the editorial decision and, if applicable, provide revised data files. At this stage, the moratorium on the dataset will be lifted, and the DOI will be officially registered and made publicly accessible via the DIGIS domain-specific repository for geochemical data at GFZ Data Services. All accepted, peer-reviewed data publications will subsequently be considered for inclusion in the GEOROC database.
Templates
Bulk Analysis Template
In Situ Analysis Template
Time Series Analysis Template
Core Sample Template
Submission Metadata Template
Repository Policies
By submitting your dataset, you hereby agree to and accept the following policies:
Data PreservationDatasets are archived by and published through GFZ Data Services, a research data repository for DOI-referenced data and scientific software from the geosciences domain. Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) are assigned to datasets through the DataCite membership of GFZ Data Services. Datasets are citable following the same format as a scientific article. Data compilations published through the DIGIS Data Repository must include appropriate citations to all original data sources and providers.
The DIGIS Data Repository increases the interoperability of long-tail data by providing cross-references through persistent identifiers to related research products and people or institutions involved (e.g. DOI, ORCID). To facilitate reuse of data, we recommend cross-referencing of scholarly publications to describe the full provenance of a dataset (e.g. methods).
Content will be published under the Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication (CC0) for metadata and the CC-BY license for data. By submitting research content and metadata to the DIGIS Data Repository the user grants DIGIS the right to reproduce and process/edit the submitted research content and corresponding metadata for archive, publication and re-usage purposes.
Access to the DIGIS Data Repository is open and free but you must adhere to the licensing requirements when sharing or reusing datasets. Temporary access restrictions to data files within a dataset are available upon request.
Contents available in the DIGIS Data Repository were created with best care and attention and will be updated on a regular basis. DIGIS does not accept liability for the quality, topicality or completeness of the contents provided and their suitability for specific purposes.
GEOROC is a leading global geochemical database for rocks and minerals that also offers curated datasets with a regional or topical focus. In conjunction with other databases in the OneGeochemistry initiative (e.g., AstroMat, the AuScope Geochemistry Network, EPOS Multiscale Laboratories, MetBase, PetDB), GEOROC is promoting the sustainable and universal use and re-use of geochemical data. In order to improve this service, all data submitted to the DIGIS Data Repository will be considered for inclusion into GEOROC or transferred to one of the other databases, as appropriate with respect to their topical scope, unless the submitting author specifically indicates otherwise. When data are included In the GEOROC database, transformations of data or variables might occur to fit GEOROC’s data concepts.