I-Fac Data Catalog

Data Policy

This policy explains how datasets are prepared, shared, accessed, and reused through the I-Fac Data Catalog. It is intended as practical guidance for publishers and users, and should be reviewed alongside any license or access conditions attached to an individual dataset.

Purpose

The catalogue supports transparent discovery and reuse of research data. Published metadata should help users understand what the data describes, who maintains it, how it may be reused, and where to find supporting documentation.

Dataset access

Public datasets and metadata are available for browsing without an account. Some resources may require authentication, approval, or additional conditions when data sensitivity, embargoes, licensing, or operational constraints apply.

Acceptable use

Users should access the catalogue responsibly, respect rate limits and service availability, avoid attempts to bypass access controls, and use downloaded data in ways that are consistent with the dataset license and stated restrictions.

Licensing and attribution

Each dataset should identify its applicable license whenever possible. Users are responsible for checking the dataset record, citing the dataset and publisher appropriately, and preserving notices required by the license or accompanying documentation.

Publication review

Dataset publishers are responsible for ensuring that metadata is accurate and that data proposed for publication has completed the necessary scientific, ethical, legal, privacy, and security reviews before it is made available.

Privacy and security

The catalogue should not be used to publish personal, confidential, controlled, or otherwise sensitive information unless an approved release process and appropriate access controls are in place. Suspected issues should be reported promptly to the catalogue administrators.

Availability

The catalogue is maintained to support reliable discovery and access, but datasets, metadata, and services may change as records are updated, corrected, superseded, or withdrawn. Users should record dataset identifiers and access dates when citing or reusing data.

Contact

For questions about a specific dataset, contact the publisher listed on the dataset record. For catalogue policy, access, or publication questions, contact the I-Fac Data Catalog administrators.