@[toc](Information for VU researchers) ### OSF Institutions for VU researchers The OSF is a web-based open-source research project management tool that supports researchers throughout the project lifecycle. It facilitates collaboration, connects services across the research lifecycle, archives data, materials, and other research objects for private use or public sharing. The OSF is developed by the [Center of Open Science (COS)](http://cos.io) that strives to increase openness, integrity, and reproducibility of research. - As a collaboration tool, OSF helps research teams work on projects privately or make publicly accessible for broad dissemination. - As a workflow system, OSF enables connections to the many products researchers already use, streamlining their process and increasing efficiency. - Researchers can manage files, data, code, and protocols in one centralized location and easily build custom organization for their unique needs. - Integrated metadata support on project level improves findability and reuse of research materials. Soon content on OSF will support FAIR metadata for all files, which will even further enhance responsible preservation and discovery. Read more about OSF best practices for the new users on [this wiki page](https://osf.io/abwzm/wiki/OSF%20information%20for%20new%20users/). ### Working with sensitive data **Actively choose "Germany - Frankfurt" in the account settings as default storage location when you start a new project. Your research data will be stored in the EU jurisdiction.** Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) via de SURFsecureID (with the tiqr app or a YubiKey) is enabled for all users who log in with VUnetId credentials for improved security and protection of your research data. OSF has implemented several measures (e.g. OSF storage encryption, regular backups, Standard Contractual Clauses) to increase security of your stored research data as well as guarantee GDPR compliance. The OSF is developed to facilitate Open Science and sharing of digital research objects. Medium-level sensitive data (e.g. unpublished research data, research proposals) can be stored provided it is available only to a specific group of users. VU does not advice to store privacy sensitive data . For this type of data please use a more suitable platform such as [Research Drive][1]. If there is no other suitable way to share a file with privacy sensitive data make sure you encrypt the file(s) before you upload them to the OSF, a good way to do this is by adding the files to a password protected zipfile ([how-to guide](https://osf.io/fn9tx/)). Storing the highest (secret) level data (e.g. criminal records, classified information) is prohibited. Please contact the [RDM Support Desk][2]. In case of a security incident or data leak, the data breach response [plan](https://help.osf.io/hc/en-us/articles/1500011430761-COS-Data-Breach-Response-Plan) is available. Please report possible incidents via support@osf.io and always via IT Servicedesk: servicedesk@vu.nl or 020 598 0000. More information on the OSF security policy and implemented measures can be found on [OSF Guide](https://help.osf.io/hc/en-us/articles/360019930993-FAQs-Security) ### How to connect an (existing) OSF account to your VUnetId VU researchers can make use of OSF by logging in with their VUnetId credentials. You can either create a new OSF account and choose "Sign up using Institution" [(OSF Guide)](https://help.osf.io/article/271-create-an-osf-account) or add your VUnetID login to your existing OSF account [(OSF Guide)](https://help.osf.io/article/238-add-a-new-email-address-to-your-account). If you are already registered with your VU email address this will happen automatically. ### Affiliate projects and registrations with the VU You can affiliate your projects ([OSF Guide](https://help.osf.io/hc/en-us/articles/360019738374-Affiliate-an-OSF-Project-with-an-Institution)) and registrations with the VU ([OSF Guide](https://help.osf.io/hc/en-us/articles/360019738394-Affiliate-a-Registration-with-an-Institution)) ### Retaining access to your data when leaving the VU If you want to retain access to your OSF Projects you could create a new account with a personal email address. Then merge this account with your institutional account, see the [OSF Guide](https://help.osf.io/hc/en-us/articles/360019738014-Merge-Your-Accounts). Do this while your VUnetId is still active! If your VUnetId has alreay expired you can still create a new OSF account and ask a Project Admin to re-add you to the Projects. If your VUnetId has expired and you are the only Project Admin please contact [OSF Support](https://help.osf.io/hc/en-us/requests/new). ### Deleting your account You’re always welcome to deactivate or delete your account. If you’d like to delete your OSF account and personal data, please email support@osf.io. ### Access for students Students are also welcome to use OSF. Note that logging in with VUnetId requires MFA via de SURFsecureID (with the tiqr app or a YubiKey). [The VU AskIT portal](https://askit.vu.nl/tas/public/ssp/content/search?q=KI+0349) has more information on how to register for MFA if you have not already done so. ### Metadata The VU recommends a set of minimal metadata properties you should use to ensure findability of your projects and data. Datasets with sufficient metadata will also be automatically registered in the Pure Research Portal. - [Recommendation for projects and registrations](https://osf.io/abwzm/wiki/Metadata%20recommendation/) ### Storage limits OSF storage has a limit of 5GB for a private project and 50GB for a public project. Note that it is possible to request additional (paid) OSF storage via the [Request form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CImattWD9KdefK-vFmMbB1I0pfl4FkKj0e1fNgz0AG4/viewform?edit_requested=true). More information on available storage tiers can be found [here](https://www.cos.io/osf-usage). Another way to acquire more storage is connecting alternative storage provider via Add-ons as described below. The [OSF storage caps page](https://help.osf.io/hc/en-us/articles/360054528874-OSF-Storage-Caps) has more information on extending storage capacity. ### Connecting storage and apps OSF allows you to connect to other storage platforms and services via Add-ons, see the [OSF Add-ons and integrations Guide](https://help.osf.io/article/395-storage-add-ons) for more information. Storage add-ons are particularly well suited for data sharing in a project. However, please consider the following when adding them to your project: what data (folders) is being shared, who this resource is being shared with and who manages the add-on (e.g. how long will it be available). Recommended connected storage options are [Research Drive][3] ([how-to guide](https://osf.io/4ewgx/)) and [SURFdrive][4] ([how-to guide](https://osf.io/e9a5v/)). The VU discourages using Dropbox and Google Drive for storing research data. For projects with a Code component creating connections to Github repos is a good idea, see the [OSF Guide](https://help.osf.io/hc/en-us/articles/360019929813-Connect-GitHub-to-a-Project). Tip: if you just want to publish a Github repo itself consider using Zenodo, see [this guide](https://guides.github.com/activities/citable-code/). You can also connect a dataset in [DataverseNL](https://dataverse.nl) to your project, so published datasets can be viewed in OSF. You can even upload an delete files in Draft dataset ([how-to guide](https://osf.io/w2sme/)). Remember, everyone who has access to your project will be able to see the files in the storage folder you connect, even if you have not explicitely shared the files on the source location! ### Support options for VU researchers The following hierarchy of support options is available if you run into problems or have questions about using the OSF. 1. Try the [OSF Guides](https://help.osf.io/) first, they are quite extensive. Quick start up guide for VU OSF users is available [here](https://osf.io/abwzm/wiki/home/). 2. If the answer to your question is not in the OSF Guides or if you run into a technical problem you can contact OSF support directly via [the contact form](https://help.osf.io/hc/en-us/requests/new). As a member of OSF institutions VU users receive priority support. 3. Contact the [RDM Support Desk][5] if you have questions with regard to operation of VU OSF or more general questions about Research Data Management. Please also be aware that the OSF is an external provider and, as such, the VU is not responsible for resilience, service time or support, should any problems arise. 4. The VU is working on setting up the [VU OSF Advocates group](https://osf.io/q5g3y/) that will help to promote adoption of OSF among the peers. If you are interested in joining the VU OSF Advocates group please contact the RDM community manager [Lena Karvovskaya](mailto:e.karvovskaya@vu.nl,rdm@vu.nl?subject=JoinOSFadvocates) or [RDM Support Desk][6]. ### Planned trainings and events - Friday, 31 May 20241 14:00 – 16:00, ONLINE [1]: https://services.vu.nl/esc?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=39d345f097066990e553359fe153af01 [2]: https://services.vu.nl/esc?id=vu_research_dashboard_l1 [3]: https://services.vu.nl/esc?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=39d345f097066990e553359fe153af01 [4]: https://services.vu.nl/esc?id=emp_taxonomy_topic&topic_id=fb4eda9f978f09d0e553359fe153afa5 [5]: https://services.vu.nl/esc?id=emp_taxonomy_topic&topic_id=6fa0b56647c31150bfa46d72e36d4317 [6]: https://services.vu.nl/esc?id=emp_taxonomy_topic&topic_id=6fa0b56647c31150bfa46d72e36d4317