Sharing Data

GrainDB is a database of metadata relating to granular materials and experiments. As such, it is a data system to collect and manage metadata from publicly available datasets. All record data provided by GrainDB is on a CC0 "CC Zero" basis.

In many cases, it can be difficult to ascertain whether a dataset is subject to copyright law, as many types of data are not copyrightable in many jurisdictions. Putting a dataset in the public domain under CC0 is a way to remove any legal doubt about whether researchers can use the data in their projects. This leads to the enrichment of open datasets and further dissemination of knowledge. This also helps to avoid avoid the problem of attribute stacking where the author would be obliged to cite both the dataset being used and GrainDB for each record used.

Data Vs. Database

Datasets catalogued within and referenced by GrainDB are shared under the license chosen by their creator which is listed for each record of an experimental dataset.

Further discussion on the details of selected license types and how you should choose a suitable licence for your data can be found here .

Metadata Usage Guidelines

The Metadata published by GrainDB is available free of restrictions under the Creative Commons Zero Public Domain Dedication (CC0).

This means that you can use it for any purpose without having to give attribution. However, GrainDB requests that you actively acknowledge and give attribution to GrainDB wherever possible. Attribution supports future efforts to release other data. Give credit where credit is due.

Citing GrainDB

Although CC0 does not legally require users of the data to cite the source, it is best practice to give proper credit to the original creator(s) of the data.

Please cite GrainDB as:

Morrissey, Ooi. 2023. "GrainDB: An Experimental Measurements Database" [database]. Retrieved from https://www.GrainDB.org.

These usage guidelines are based on goodwill. They are not a legal contract but GrainDB requests that you follow these guidelines if you use Metadata from our database.

Where to submit your data

GrainDB is not concerned with which data storage service is used and there is no restriction on where the dataset is shared from. It's main task is to collate the metadata and link that to the specific dataset. In most cases this will be through the use of the citeable DOI provided by the data storage service, but it can also be any long-term secure repository with a fixed url.

TUSAIL Community

A Community has been created on the Zenodo Opens Science platform, (TUSAIL Data Collection) which provides a simple way of organising related datasets into a single collection, making it easier to find relevant and related data. While originally conceived as a means of collating and disseminating output from the TUSAIL consortium, it is open to submissions from members of the general research community who think it is a suitable home for their data.