Edinburgh DataVault: local implementation of Jisc DataVault: the value of testing

Abstract

The DataVault is designed to help meet evolving funder expectations with respect to data retention and increased data volumes. Building on the DataVault pilot project funded by Jisc, staff at EDINA and the University of Edinburgh have developed a local implementation: the Edinburgh DataVault. A basic-featured interim version of this service has been put through User Acceptance Testing and launched. A fuller-featured version is still in development. The UAT has highlighted a number of issues arising from the local implementation, concerning: guidance and documentation (particularly concerning personal sensitive data), interface functionality, and user support processes (particularly concerning compliance issues and provision of metadata by depositors). By identifying these issues during UAT, while the project team is still together, the team has been able to work together to resolve these through changes to documentation, clarification of guidance and software changes.