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In general, citations (i.e., references) give credit to others for their work and ideas and allow readers to track down the original work if they choose. Citing data has not always been standard practice, especially if it is data you have collected yourself, but as data becomes more and more widely shared, proper attribution is increasingly important. Citing datasets helps them become part of the scholarly record and gives proper credit to the creator of the dataset.
Citation also allows researchers to look at the underlying data supporting your research, to build upon your research, or attempt to reproduce your results. So don't forget to keep track our where you're getting your data from (as you gather it) and cite it!
The following are a couple of recommended sources for ways to cite geospatial data, maps, and imagery:
Before using a data source in your research, you will need to check if there are any use restrictions. While data itself cannot be copyrighted, any product derived from that data can. This can apply to datasets as a whole, as well as charts and graphs created by online tools. There may also be privacy concerns related to the data itself, which would limit the ways the data can be used and shared. Users should always read the terms and conditions for each data source, especially if they intend to publish their research.
For more information and if you have any questions about copyright, contact the UBC Copyright Office.
Research data is data created or generated as part of a research project, and may include numeric data, text, transcripts, images, video and audio recordings, and more. Good research data management prevents data loss, stores data securely and facilitates data sharing.
UBC Library offers advice and services for research data management, including
Learn more at the UBC Library Research Data Management Website and with the Research Data Alliance's Training Materials, or attend one of UBC Library’s workshops. Check the instruction calendar for dates and times.
Part of managing your research data includes managing your author profile, allowing your citations to be properly attributed and linked to you. One type of author profile is linked to an ORCID iD, a type of personal persistent identifier. ORCID is an international non-profit organization.
ORCID provides a persistent digital identifier (an ORCID iD) that you own and control, and that distinguishes you from every other researcher. You can connect your iD with your professional information — affiliations, grants, publications, peer review, and more. You can use your iD to share your information with other systems, ensuring you get recognition for all your contributions, saving you time and hassle, and reducing the risk of errors.
An ORCID iD is yours, for your entire career. Even if your name changes or you move between countries, postings, or fields, your ORCID iD remains unchanged.
Register for your ORCID iD at https://orcid.org