Sync Service Survey

Question List (based on Boston meeting)

Preamble: This is a research project being funded by Sloan, worked by not-for-profit DuraSpace. We want to understand what researchers want and need for managing data storage, backup, and curation.

1a) Are you involved in a research project which creates data?
1b) What is your role in this project?

• Options: PI, research assistant, other

2) Where is your data stored (check all that apply)

• Local hard drives (laptops)
• In an online backup service (box, dropbox)
• On servers provided by institutional IT
• Institutional shared drive
• Other

3) If data is stored in an offsite backup system, which are you using (check all that apply)

• Box
• DropBox
• Amazon S3
• Google Drive
• DuraCloud
• Mozy
• iCloud
• Carbonite
• Other:

4a) Are you ever concerned that you will lose data important to your research?

• Yes
• No

4b) Would you care to explain your answer?

• Box for elaboration

5) Do you need to share access to this data with (select all that apply)

• Students
• Research assistants
• Research collaborators
• Colleagues within your institution
• Colleagues outside of your institution

6a) Are you satisfied with your current data management tools?

• Yes
• No

6b) Are you considering using other tools?

• Yes
• No
• If Yes, which tool(s) are you currently considering?

7) Could we contact you to further understand your needs?

• Name
• Email Address

Original Question List

Note: Keep this short for Survey Monkey

1. Do you perform research that creates data?
2. Is your data kept (check all):
   1. In your personal computer
   2. In your research group's data center
   3. In your institution's data center
   4. By a service outside you institution
   5. In other peoples computers
3. Are you ever concerned that you will lose data important to your research?
4. Have you ever lost data?
5. Do you store any copies using a synchronization service such as Box, DropBox, GoodSync . . . ?
6. Do you share this data before publication with anyone else:
   1. Student Assistant
   2. Co-researcher
   3. Colleagues