FORSbase: Implementing the fair principles for social science data archives

Stefan Buerli
2020 Zenodo  
For a social science data archive, Open Science in the strict sense is a generally a no-go for obvious data protection reasons. However, the FAIR principles can be implemented while at the same time satisfying the data producer, the data user, and data protection laws. In order to reach that objective, FORS -- the Swiss Centre for Expertise in the Social Sciences -- developed FORSbase, an online web application that makes data discovery, deposit, and delivery as convenient and as open as
more » ... e for data in the social sciences. Its goal is to combine within a single system and database a wide range of archiving functions and tools for researchers themselves to document and deposit their data, to choose between different degrees of openness regarding delivery, to access data and metadata, and to establish contacts and communicate with other researchers. In sum, for the social sciences appropriate infrastructure is needed to mediate the specific needs of data producers and users in relation to FAIR principles and data protection laws. FORSbase provides just such a technical solution, facilitating the sharing and use of secondary data, while at the same time protecting the confidentiality of research participants.
doi:10.5281/zenodo.3775648 fatcat:fkzzubhbynfdxi55ljkxe2iste