GFZ Data Services is a domain repository for geosciences data comprising the Earth, Space and Environmental Sciences. It assigns digital object identifier (DOI) to data and scientific software since 2004. Hosted at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the repository has a focus on the curation of long-tail data by domain scientists on one hand, but also provides DOI minting services for several global monitoring networks/observatories in geodesy and geophysics and collaborative projects. Furthermore, as Allocating Agent for the International Generic Sample Number (IGSN), the globally unique persistent identifier for physical samples, GFZ is providing IGSN minting services for physical samples.
GFZ Data Services increases the interoperability of long-tail data through (1) the provision of comprehensive domain-specific data description via standardised and machine-readable metadata with controlled domain vocabularies. Metadata is (2) complemeted with comprehensive and standardised technical data descriptions or reports; and (3) by embedding the research data in wider context by providing cross-references through Persistent Identifiers (DOI, IGSN, ORCID, Fundref) to related research products (text, data, software) and people or institutions involved.
In addition to the task as a research data publisher, GFZ Data Services is the central node for research data management at the GFZ with information on metadata, data formats, the data publication workflow, FAQ, links to different versions of our metadata editor and downloadable data description templates. Specific data publication guidance is complemented by more general information on data management, like a data management roadmap for PhD students.