iTHRIV Data Commons
The Informatics Core of the integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV) builds software and system solutions to support team science and accelerate scientific discovery and innovation. The iTHRIV Research Data Commons is a new solution that provides health researchers and data stewards with a single interface to manage, share and use research data throughout its lifecycle, from initial design and approval through data collection and analysis, and ultimately publication. The product facilitates access while enhancing compliance, making it a win for both research teams and administrators at our institution.
The iTHRIV Research Data Commons is a scalable research data infrastructure that enables the safe, secure collection, storage, sharing and analysis of data (including PHI when applicable). This innovative product was designed and built by the integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV) as part of the UVA’s inaugural NIH funded Clinical and Translational Science Award. The iTHRIV Research Data Commons workflows involve the collection of searchable metadata (facts about the data) as projects unfold and provides a managed lifecycle for research data. The software provides a friendly interface integrated into the educational and research resource sharing iTHRIV Research Concierge Portal. The product allows diverse research teams from different departments and schools to integrate their research workflows while providing personalized access as controlled by project owners and data administrators. Integration with other institutional research systems, such as the IRB-HSR database, also ensures that data can only be accessed by the appropriate users. Dataset access is controlled by dataset administrators, and access to highly sensitive PHI is limited to team members currently listed on the IRB protocol. A sample NIH data management and sharing plan leveraging the iTHRIV Commons is HERE.
Access to the Private Research Data Commons is limited to users at iTHRIV institutions who log into the iTHRIV Portal and who are connected to a local secure network (i.e. high security VPN). Individuals who are logged in will see a Private Data Commons button in the portal. Upon entry, they will only see private projects and datasets which they add themselves or which other team members grant them permission to access. Private Project Owners and Dataset Admins can push appropriate metadata and/or data files from the Private Data Commons out to the Public Data Commons where anyone with internet access can find and access them. This public sharing is optional and most content is expected to remain private. A journal article describing the iTHRIV Portal and Research Data Commons ("iTHRIV Commons") is available HERE.
COST MODEL: Use of the Research Data Commons is FREE with the below limitations on usage.
File Storage Limitations:
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Individual file size is currently limited to 6 GB per file uploaded and stored in the Commons. This limit could be increased in the future.
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Total data storage per principal investigator is limited to 1 TB across all datasets / all projects.
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Projects involving larger storage needs on the per file or per investigator basis can leverage other storage options provided by their institutions. These users can still index those datasets in the iTHRIV Research Data Commons for purposes of project management, search, compliance, etc. Index a dataset by creating a project and a dataset in the Commons and adding a link to your storage location.
First time iTHRIV Commons users are encouraged to contact iTHRIVAdmin@uvahealth.org to receive a personalized consult to maximize the use of the tool.