So you’re finished with your research project, now what? To make sure your data is accessible and usable in the future you must have a plan for preserving it. Sharing in a repository is not the same as preservation!
Remember to always keep a copy of your raw data before it is processed, and to keep data in its original format if you are converting it to another format.
Saving your data in proprietary formats risks your data being inaccessible in the future if you were to lose access to the software, or the program developers stop supporting and updating a program. Also, your data will not be usable to people who do not have that proprietary software. Whenever possible, use the following non-proprietary formats.
Use non-proprietary, open, non-compressed file types when possible. Some suggested file types are: