Publicly available data collected and maintained by federal, state, and local governments is a vital resource for the research community both here and overseas. The information below is adapted from Harvard University Library's Public Data Conservation guide, under a CC By 4.0 licence.
The links offer resources and recommended strategies for researchers who are concerned about ongoing access to public datasets—whether for replicating published research, upholding research integrity, supporting new investigations, or ensuring the transparency and longevity of public knowledge.
The community-driven initiatives listed below are actively working to preserve and maintain access to public datasets. Researchers are encouraged to get involved, adopt open research practices, and ensure their data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR)—now and into the future. Academic and professional communities such as PEDP, COPAFS, and IASSIST are also deeply involved in this work.