Data storage

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 Key issues surrounding data storage

Data storage is an essential component in data curation that enables long term availability as well as accessibility of data (Hart et al, 2016). Additionally, it forms a core component of digital curation as it enables easy sharing of the data with all stakeholders (Oliver, 2016).  Various tools, technologies and expertise are required to facilitate data storage.


Firstly, technological infrastructure is required to facilitate data storage. One of the technological infrastructures is servers (Erkimbaev et al, 2019). Different types of servers may be used to host the repository. These servers may be hosted on Macintosh, Windows, and Linux platforms or others (Voss et al, 2017). Organisations may have a physical server that could be used to host a repository. These servers need to have adequate storage capacity, which is required to ensure the storage of a high volume of data (Oliver, 2016). The cloud servers may also be used to host a repository where cloud computing technologies such as Containerisation and virtualisation may be used to host a repository.  Internet connectivity is another technology that facilities storage of data. This would allow the curators to manage the data, both in the cloud and on physical servers. Other technologies that need to facilitate data storage include the digital repository software. The software programs include DSpace, Greenstone, and other programs (Hart et al, 2016).

The second requirement for the storage of data is well-trained personnel (Hart et al, 2016). The curators with expertise would be able to ingest, classify and manage the data accordingly. Furthermore, they may be able to assign the metadata accordingly (Voss et al, 2017). Additionally, the personnel with advanced expertise may be able to apply the needed security measures that may help to ensure that the stored data lasts longer by protecting it from unauthorised access.

The third requirement for enhancing data storage is the policies and guidelines for managing the data. Data management policies may be able to stipulate the type of data to be managed, the duration during which data should be managed and who is allowed to access the data (Voss et al, 2017).

The other essential element required in the storage of data is metadata assignment. Different types of metadata play a role in ensuring effective management of data (Voss et al, 2017). . These include the administrative metadata, which includes the provision of information to support management of the data. The structural metadata, which centres on the organisation of data and the descriptive metadata, which centres on describing an item, to facilitate its discovery. 


In conclusion, data storage requires the availability of adequate technological infrastructure, personnel with adequate expertise, policies and other relevant standards to ensure proper management and storage of data for long terms access and use.

 

References

Erkimbaev, A. O., Zitserman, V. Y., Kobzev, G. A., & Kosinov, A. V. (2019). Curation of digital scientific data.   Scientific and Technical Information Processing, 46(3), 192-203

Hart, E. M., Barmby, P., LeBauer, D., Michonneau, F., Mount, S., Mulrooney, P., Poisot, T., Woo, K. H.,     Zimmerman, N. B., & Hollister, J. W. (2016). Ten Simple Rules for Digital Data Storage. PLoS computational biology, 12(10), e1005097.

Oliver, G., & Harvey, R. (2016). Digital curation. American Library Association

Voss, A., Lvov, I., & Thomson, S. D. (2017). Data Storage, Curation and. The SAGE handbook of social    media research methods, 161.


Comments

  1. Eddah Namisikha20 May 2026 at 12:19

    Clearly explained

    ReplyDelete
  2. Naomi J. Munthali20 May 2026 at 12:22

    Good write up data storage really requires the availability of technological infrastructure for long term access and use.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Doreen Yadidi20 May 2026 at 12:29

    Beautifully written

    ReplyDelete

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