During 12–13 June, SND launches extensive changes to our research data catalogue and publication tool, DORIS. The purpose of these changes is to make it easier to find and share data through SND and to improve the user experience. The changes also mean that the SND research data catalogue will adhere to global standards, making Swedish research data more accessible internationally.
If you search for research data in our catalogue
The most noticeable difference for users of the SND research data catalogue is that search results are now displayed per dataset. This means that a catalogue entry contains a single dataset, unlike before when an entry could contain multiple datasets.
The landing pages for catalogue entries have also received an updated layout that makes it easier to get an overview of data and metadata on a single page. This helps users to quickly find the right information.
Several new features have been introduced to improve the user experience. Among other things, it has become easier to navigate between different versions of datasets, and for data stored at SND there is now an option to download all files relating to a dataset as a zip file.
Other improvements include image file preview, listing of files within zip files, downloading metadata as a PDF file, and the ability to download an overview of all files in a catalogue entry in CSV format.
At the same time as the launch, several metadata fields in the research data catalogue are also updated. Some metadata fields have been removed, and the information has been moved to other fields. There may be some temporary duplication of information during this transitional period.
If you are a researcher who wants to share data through SND
For researchers who plan to share data through SND's publication tool, DORIS, the changes mean, among other things, that it is no longer possible to add multiple datasets to a single data description.
The interface has been updated and simplified to focus more clearly on data and documentation files. The publishing tool has been given an expanded detail view with new entries to activity history and messages that facilitate the review and publishing process. Researchers can now also update metadata for published datasets directly without review.
If you are a researcher with data in the SND research data catalogue
The transition also involves certain changes for researchers who already have data published through SND. This primarily affects catalogue entries that contain more than one dataset. For these, the datasets will either be separated or merged.
In cases where the datasets are separated, they will be displayed as separate catalogue entries in the research data catalogue. Relevant metadata, which was previously common to the datasets, will be included in the separate catalogue entries, and the datasets will be clearly linked to each other.
In some cases, the datasets within a catalogue entry will be merged to form a new combined dataset. SND ensures that relevant metadata accompanies the new merged dataset, and existing DOIs will redirect to the new dataset. In addition, SND will review the need for other types of relationships between datasets and how they can be best presented in the catalogue entries.
All affected researchers will be kept informed about the changes and how they specifically impact their data descriptions.
Minor disruptions may occur
For a brief period after the launch, there may be minor disruptions to the services as certain functions may require adjustment. Please note that this may result in longer search times as well as delays in the review and publication process.
Contact us if you have any questions
If you, as a user, discover any technical issues with the SND research data catalogue or publication tool, please contact our support at snd@snd.gu.se.
If you have any other questions, concerns, or comments regarding the changes, please contact SND at snd@snd.gu.se or your organization's local data support unit.