# Archiving

Archiving your data https://youtu.be/0fpJBI3rFLI

We have reached the final stages of the research lifecycle. Your data has been through a lot, from initial collection to detailed analysis, and now it’s time to give it a permanent home where it can shine for the world to see.

In this chapter, you will learn the important steps of archiving your data: where to archive it, what should be included in the archive, and how to share your data responsibly and effectively with others.

It can be tempting to move on to the next project at this point, but doing so risks leaving work incomplete and missing a valuable opportunity; while the research publication is often viewed as the main output of a project, the dataset itself is a crucial scholarly product. A well-managed data package can lead to citations, reuse by other researchers, and recognition in your field. And it’s not just others who benefit; having a clear, archived record of your data makes it easier for you to revisit, verify, and build on your own work in the future.

Proper archiving is not just about organization; it's about contributing to the culture of transparency, reproducibility, and open science. Your data set could answer questions you haven't yet imagined or support future discoveries.

If you're interested in reading more about archiving at the VU, check out the faculty archiving guidelines.