La Trobe University > Office of Research Infrastructure > Digital Research > Research Data > Data Storage

Data Storage

Different storage options are available for your research data. The choice depends on the nature of your research and the type of data.

Research Data Storage Matrix

The Research Storage Matrix provides a comparison of the research data storage available to La Trobe University researchers. It provides guidance about the different options and their associated use-cases. This can help you identify an appropriate place to store your data based on how you intend to use the data.

Note: A La Trobe University login is required to access the Matrix.

More information about each storage option, including how to request access, is provided below.

Access the Matrix Contact Digital Research

RDS is the recommended default storage platform for your research data. It is a cloud-based solution that was purpose-built for researchers at La Trobe University.

RDS offers useful features to help you meet your active data management needs, such as:

  • personal and group spaces
  • synchronizing folders to personal devices
  • sharing files and folders
  • collaboration with external researchers
  • etc.

In addition, RDS is secured within our enterprise access control framework and data is backed up for reliability.

The buttons below link to more information about RDS and the form which can be used to request a new DataSpace. Both require a La Trobe University account to access.

What is Research DataSpace? Request a DataSpace

OPAL is ideal for publishing research datasets and grey literature. These outputs can be related to a specific publication or generated as part of the research process. It supports embargoed and mediated access, so you can share data with reviewers before publishing to the wider research community.

Information about open datasets in OPAL is also published to Research Data Australia, which can help generate more citations for your research from the greater exposure.

Access OPAL View Research Data Australia

The Online Research Notebook allows you to digitize your research as it is created. It can be used across disciplines, whether you are capturing ideas from literature, designing an experiment, or acquiring and linking research data.

Powered by LabArchives, this online application can replace paper notebooks and help an individual or team to manage, store, and link their research data.

Find out more about the Notebook

Research projects can request a shared folder (aka network file share, P: drive)  which can be accessed within the La Trobe network. These folders are only accessible to La Trobe users and will appear as a folder or drive on your computer’s file system.

This option is most appropriate when dealing with sensitive data or data that needs to be accessed from a high-performance computer or server at La Trobe.

Request a Shared Folder

Storage to be avoided

We provide storage options that cover the most common requirements for research data. We strongly recommend not storing data in other applications, such as OneDrive, Teams, and DropBox. This is because they do not have sufficient access controls, space and other capabilities appropriate for storing research data.

If you cannot find a solution in the Matrix that fits your requirements, please contact Digital Research to discuss your specific storage needs.

Research Data Sovereignty

The location of research data has legal implications. To comply with grant conditions and ethics requirements, data must typically be stored within Australian jurisdictions. This also ensures alignment with national laws and helps researchers meet their responsibilities. To support this at La Trobe University, all approved research data systems and applications listed below store the research data in Australia. See the following links for more information: