Contributing Data to the RDC

Thank you for your interest in becoming a data contributor!

By doing so, you are not only supporting us, but also advancing scientific exchange.

What do you need to know?

A step-by-step guide for uploading is available in the User Manual.

We also have a quick guide for uploading data.

 

To view a example dataset.

To collect metadata an excel file: Metadata.

 

You can find more information on the Supportsite.

 

General Information
Format

We accept two types of datasets:

RAW (raw data) and AGG (aggregated data).

Example RAW

Example AGG

License Types

We work with three types of licenses: two Creative Commons licenses and one Scientific Use File License.

CC-BY (Creative Commons Attribution License)
The CC BY license allows third parties to use, modify, and redistribute the data or content freely – including for commercial purposes – as long as the original author is credited.

What does this mean when uploading a dataset?

If you upload data under a CC BY license, it means:

  • Others may use, copy, modify, or share your data.

  • You will be credited as the original author, for example by name or with a link to the source.

  • You allow free use of the data, but retain authorship.

Important: Please ensure you hold the necessary rights to the data you upload before publishing under this license.

 

Scientific Use File License (SUFL 1.0)


This license must be accepted by all users before they are allowed to download a dataset. You will be notified accordingly.

The full license can be found here: SUFL 1.0

Summary

This license permits free, non-exclusive, and worldwide use of scientific data strictly for personal scientific purposes (research or teaching at recognized institutions).

What is allowed?

  • Use for personal scientific purposes only (no sharing with third parties).

  • Reproduction, analysis, modification, and use in teaching.

  • Publishing scientific work based on the data is permitted.

What is not allowed?

  • Redistribution or publication of the original data, even in modified form.

  • Commercial use.

  • Use by third parties.

Obligations

  • Indicate the scientific purpose when requesting data.

  • Provide proper attribution in publications: name the licensor, include copyright notices, and cite the DOI.

  • Protect personal data: no re-identification or contacting of participants.

Termination

The license ends automatically once the stated scientific purpose is fulfilled or if the license terms are violated.

Liability

Use is at your own risk; the licensor is only liable in cases of intent or harm to natural persons.