Persistent identifiers for instruments: value, overview and guidelines
David Poger1, Siobhann McCafferty2, Matthias Liffers3 1Microscopy Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia2Australian Research Data Commons, Brisbane, QLD, Australia3Australian Research Data Commons, Perth, WA, Australia
Abstract
As the research community embraces the FAIR principles (data findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability), there is a growing need to accurately describe and identify instruments digitally using a globally unique digital Persistent Identifier (PID). A PID is a long-lasting reference to a digital resource.
The Identifiers for Instruments in Australasia Community of Practice (i4iOZ) recently published a document that outlined best practices for assigning PIDs to research instruments (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7759201). Despite the variety of definitions for instruments, this document draws general considerations based on a range of use cases. Importantly, it follows the work of the Research Data Alliance PIDs for Instruments (PIDINST) Working Group and presents best practices for use of the schema and existing PID services in an effort to address the need for a globally standardised method of describing research instruments.
This workshop will combine general information, guidelines and hands-on activities. A summary of the best practices for assigning PIDs to instruments will be presented alongside a few use cases at institutions that reflect the diversity of situations where PIDs can be used. Group exercises will help you understand the value of identifying instruments to you and your organisation. Various questions will be addressed, including: what is the current source of information for your instruments? what is the general value of instrument metadata for researchers and organisations? what are the current roadblocks to implement PIDs at your organisation? This will be put in the light of national and international developments in the space of PIDs and metadata collection.
Biography
Dr David Poger (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8794-5688) is the Research Data Manager at Microscopy Australia. He assists microscopy facilities in data management by developing best practices and guiding them towards FAIR data. He participates in activities in Australia and overseas in the space of instrument persistent identifiers.
Siobhann McCafferty (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2491-0995) is the Platforms Projects Coordinator and Project Manager for RAiD (Research Activity Identifier) at the Australian Research Data Commons. She is the convenor of the i4iOZ community of practice for people in Australasia.
Matthias Liffers (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3639-2080) is the Product Manager for persistent identifier services at the Australian Research Data Commons.