Figshare - Detailed Review
Research Tools
Figshare - Product Overview
Figshare Overview
Figshare is a web-based platform that plays a crucial role in the management, dissemination, and discovery of academic research outputs. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
Figshare is designed to help academics, researchers, and institutions manage, share, and cite various types of research outputs. It serves as a digital repository where users can upload, store, and make their research data, papers, code, media, and other outputs available in a citable, shareable, and discoverable manner.
Target Audience
The primary users of Figshare include academic researchers, institutions, publishers, and federal government agencies. It is particularly useful for individuals and teams within these organizations who need to manage and disseminate their research outputs efficiently.
Key Features
File Types and Hosting
Figshare accepts all types of digital files, including datasets, multimedia, code, and more. It provides in-browser viewing and long-term preservation of data through secure hosting options.
Control and Privacy
Users can control access to their files by setting embargoes, releasing metadata-only records for sensitive files, and linking to files stored elsewhere to save on storage costs.
Discoverability
The platform enhances discoverability through public profiles, notifications, and easy search functionality. Research outputs are also discoverable via platforms like Research Data Australia.
Citation and Licensing
Figshare allocates a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) to each uploaded file, making them citable. Users can also assign licenses to determine the conditions of reuse for their files.
Collaboration and Sharing
Files can be shared privately with collaborators or made public to comply with open research mandates. The platform supports secure file sharing and collaboration.
Metrics and Impact
Figshare tracks altmetrics such as views, shares, and downloads, helping researchers measure the impact of their work.
By leveraging these features, Figshare simplifies the research workflow, promotes open access to knowledge, and supports the dissemination and discovery of scholarly research and content.
Figshare - User Interface and Experience
User Interface
The user interface of Figshare is structured to be intuitive and accessible. Here are some key features:
Upload and Sharing
Users can upload various types of files, which can be viewed in-browser. The platform supports the upload of multiple files and allows users to organize them into items, collections, or projects.
Metadata Management
Figshare allows users to add and edit metadata for their files, which is crucial for discoverability and reuse. The metadata is licensed under CC0 for broad reusability.
Search and Filtering
The platform provides advanced search options, including filters for various criteria such as file type, subject categories, and more. This helps users quickly find relevant research outputs.
Version Control and Provenance
Figshare tracks all uploaded files and revisions, supports version control, and assigns DOIs to published data. This ensures transparency and integrity of the research outputs.
Ease of Use
Figshare is designed to be user-friendly:
Simple Account Creation
Users can create an account easily and start uploading their research outputs. The process is guided through a “getting started” section.
Clear Navigation
The interface is straightforward, allowing users to upload, manage, and share their files without unnecessary complexity. Institutions can also customize the interface using APIs and branding options.
Accessibility
All content hosted on Figshare is freely accessible and can be downloaded without the need to log in. This promotes open access to knowledge.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience on Figshare is focused on facilitating research data management and dissemination:
Discoverability
Figshare enhances the discoverability of research outputs through its search features, metadata accessibility, and integration with open standards like OAI-PMH.
Collaboration
Users can share their data easily, and the platform supports features like private links and embargoes for controlled access when necessary.
Support
Figshare offers comprehensive user guides, community discussions, and support options such as tickets and email, ensuring users can get help when needed.
In summary, Figshare’s user interface is designed to be intuitive, accessible, and supportive, making it easier for researchers to manage, share, and discover academic research data.
Figshare - Key Features and Functionality
Figshare Overview
Figshare is a comprehensive research data sharing platform that offers a range of features and functionalities, particularly beneficial for researchers, academic institutions, and those dealing with large datasets. Here are the main features and how they work:
Storage and File Uploads
- Figshare provides 20GB of free storage for individual researchers, which is sufficient for most research outputs. However, for larger datasets, Figshare Plus is available, allowing uploads of single files up to 5TB and multiple files and folders, exceeding the standard 20GB limit.
Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs)
- Each dataset or research output uploaded to Figshare receives a unique DOI, making it easily citable and trackable. This ensures that the data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR).
File Preview and Visualization
- Figshare supports the preview of over 1,200 different file types, including data, videos, code, images, and more, directly in the browser. This feature enhances the discoverability and usability of the uploaded content.
Licensing and Compliance
- Researchers can license their work using a variety of Creative Commons licenses (e.g., CC0, CC-BY, CC-BY-NC) to ensure their data is reusable according to their preferences. Figshare also helps comply with funder and publisher open access policies.
Collaboration and Sharing
- Figshare allows researchers to share files with collaborators using private links, and it supports collaborative spaces for joint research projects. This facilitates teamwork and ensures that research outputs are accessible to those who need them.
Metrics and Impact Tracking
- The platform provides usage metrics such as views, downloads, citations, and Altmetric attention data. This helps researchers measure the impact of their work and understand its reach and influence.
Integration with Other Platforms
- Figshare integrates with various other platforms, such as Dimensions, to enhance the discoverability of research data. Dimensions users can view open data hosted on Figshare directly from the article details page, and metrics such as downloads and citations are tracked within the Dimensions platform.
Expert Curation Support
- Figshare Plus offers expert curation support to maximize data discovery and reuse. This includes help in organizing and describing datasets to make them more discoverable and reusable.
Institutional Repository Solutions
- For academic institutions, Figshare provides a comprehensive repository solution that supports the storage and sharing of various research outputs, including data, papers, theses, and media. It offers configurable custom metadata, powerful administration capabilities, and integration with other research management systems.
AI Integration
While the primary features of Figshare are focused on data sharing, management, and compliance, there is no specific mention of AI-driven tools within the core functionalities of Figshare itself. However, the broader context of research data sharing can involve AI in various ways, such as in the analysis and generation of data, but this is not a feature inherent to the Figshare platform.
Conclusion
In summary, Figshare is a powerful tool for researchers and institutions to manage, share, and showcase their research outputs, ensuring compliance with open research policies and enhancing the discoverability and impact of their work.
Figshare - Performance and Accuracy
When Evaluating Figshare’s Performance and Accuracy
When evaluating the performance and accuracy of Figshare in the context of research tools, particularly those involving AI-driven products, several key aspects come into play.
Data Management and Sharing
Figshare is highly regarded for its ability to manage and share large datasets efficiently. It supports uploading files up to 20GB and allows for the organization of complex datasets through its folder upload and browsing features. This ensures that researchers can easily manage, share, and find specific files within large datasets, which is crucial for collaborative research and data reuse.
Accuracy and Integrity
Figshare’s platform is built around the principles of open science, which emphasizes transparency and data integrity. However, when integrating AI tools for data analysis, there are potential risks. For instance, generative AI (GenAI) can introduce errors, biases, or even fabricate data, which could compromise the accuracy and integrity of research. While Figshare itself does not generate data, users must be cautious when using AI tools to analyze data hosted on the platform, ensuring that such tools are properly tested and validated to avoid disseminating incorrect information.
Community Standards and Practices
Figshare adheres to accepted community standards and practices, which helps in maintaining the quality and reliability of the data shared. The platform’s commitment to sustainability and community-driven development ensures that it remains aligned with the evolving needs of the research community. This approach helps in integrating new features that are valuable and technically feasible, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the platform.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
One of the limitations is the potential misuse of AI-generated data. While Figshare provides a robust platform for data sharing, it relies on users to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the data they upload. There is a need for formal prepublication checks on data quality to prevent the dissemination of fabricated or biased data. Additionally, Figshare’s reliance on user feedback and community-driven development means that some feature requests might be deferred if they do not align with the platform’s overall vision or technical feasibility.
Engagement and User Experience
Figshare is user-friendly and supports a wide range of file formats, making it easy for researchers to upload, share, and discover research outputs. The platform’s focus on simplifying the research workflow and providing cloud solutions for large datasets enhances user engagement. However, there could be improvements in integrating AI tools more seamlessly, ensuring that these tools are used responsibly and with appropriate safeguards to maintain data accuracy and integrity.
Conclusion
In summary, Figshare performs well in terms of data management and sharing, adhering to community standards, and providing a user-friendly interface. However, the accuracy and integrity of data analyzed using AI tools depend on the responsible use of these tools by researchers. Addressing the potential risks associated with AI-generated data through better validation and quality checks is an area where Figshare and its users can improve.
Figshare - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Plans Overview
Figshare offers several pricing plans and tiers, each with distinct features to cater to different needs of researchers and institutions.
Free Plan
- This plan is free for end-user researchers and authors.
- Users can create a profile on figshare.com and begin uploading their research.
- There is no cost associated with this plan, and it allows for the sharing of various types of research outputs, including data, code, software, multimedia files, and more.
Figshare
- This plan is designed for researchers with big data sharing needs.
- It involves a one-time Data Publishing Charge (DPC) based on the volume of the data to be published.
- Pricing details are as follows:
- Up to 100GB: $450
- Up to 250GB: $875
- Up to 500GB: $1,750
- Up to 750GB: $2,625
- Up to 1TB: $3,500
- Larger storage options are available upon request.
- Features include:
- Unlimited storage (beyond the 20GB limit of the free plan)
- Upload files up to 5TB
- Share complex datasets with multiple files and folders
- Unique DOI for each dataset
- Expert curation support to enhance data discoverability and reuse
- Tracking of dataset metrics (views, downloads, citations, altmetrics)
- More license options, including various Creative Commons and software licenses.
Figshare for Publishers
- This plan is tailored for publishers and involves a yearly fee, but the exact pricing is not publicly available.
- It helps publishers make data and other supplemental materials more discoverable and accessible.
- Features include partnerships with major publishers to increase the visibility of research outputs and support for open data sharing practices.
Figshare for Institutions
- This plan is designed for academic institutions and also requires a yearly fee, with pricing available upon request.
- It focuses on research data management, reporting and statistics, research data dissemination, and administrative control.
- Institutions can use Figshare to manage and disseminate all their research outputs, meet funder recommendations, and support an open culture of data sharing and collaboration.
Each plan is structured to meet the specific needs of different users, from individual researchers to large institutions and publishers. The free plan provides basic functionality, while the paid plans offer additional features and support, particularly for handling large datasets.
Figshare - Integration and Compatibility
Integrations with Code Repositories
Overview
Figshare allows users to integrate their accounts with popular code repositories such as GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket. This integration enables easy synchronization and publication of repositories directly to Figshare.Key Features
For example, users can import a zipped folder of their GitHub repository into Figshare, push files directly from GitHub to Figshare, and even automate updates using GitHub Actions.Integration with Research Information Management Systems
Supported Systems
Figshare integrates with major Current Research Information Systems (CRIS) and Research Information Management Systems (RIMS), including Symplectic Elements and Elsevier Pure.Benefits
These integrations help create a comprehensive research management workflow, linking institutional repositories with internal research management infrastructure and external platforms. This setup supports open research by enhancing connectivity and interoperability.Electronic Lab Notebooks and Other Tools
Integration with Lab Notebooks
Figshare can be integrated with Electronic Lab Notebooks such as RSpace. Administrators can set up RSpace to allow users to connect their Figshare accounts, enabling data sharing and synchronization between the two platforms.Additional Tools
Other integrations include Overleaf for publishing projects directly to Figshare, LabArchives for exporting data, and labfolder for importing Figshare items.ORCID and Other Profiles
Connecting Accounts
Users can connect their Figshare accounts to their ORCID profiles, which helps in creating a record of research outputs in the ORCID account.Enhancing Discoverability
This integration also makes the user’s ORCID part of the item’s metadata and enhances discoverability.Usage Metrics and Analytics
Available Metrics
Figshare provides built-in integrations for usage metrics, including Dimensions funding and citation information, Altmetrics, and ReadCube.Insights Offered
These integrations offer valuable insights into the impact and reach of research outputs.API and Custom Integrations
API Features
Figshare has an openly documented API that allows users and organizations to automate data publishing, work with metadata or files in bulk, and surface item metadata in discovery layers.Versatility
This API facilitates integration with almost any research information reporting workflow or system, making it highly versatile.Platform Compatibility and Availability
Service Overview
Figshare is a cloud-based service hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS), ensuring high availability and fault tolerance.Device and Data Security
The platform is optimized for mobile devices and functions on various browser versions. Data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, and storage options include AWS S3, other cloud providers, or local institutional storage.Conclusion
In summary, Figshare’s extensive integration capabilities make it a versatile tool that can be seamlessly integrated into various research workflows, ensuring compatibility and ease of use across different platforms and devices. Figshare - Customer Support and Resources
Figshare Customer Support
Figshare offers a comprehensive range of customer support options and additional resources to help users effectively manage and share their research data.Support Channels
For any support needs, users can:- Email the support team directly at support@figshare.com for assistance with using the platform.
- Visit the Figshare support forum, where users can find answers to common questions and engage with the community.
- Check out the user guides available on the Figshare help site, which provide detailed documentation on how to use the platform.
User Guides and Documentation
Figshare has an extensive help site (help.figshare.com) that includes articles and guides on various aspects of using the platform. This includes step-by-step instructions on how to upload and publish research, manage metadata, add authors, select categories, and more.Institutional Support
For users affiliated with institutions, Figshare provides additional support through the institutional support portal. This portal includes the latest release notes, feature release forums, and support articles specific to institutional users.Additional Resources
- Demo and Pricing Information: Users can request a demo or pricing information for their organization using a dedicated form on the Figshare website.
- Large Dataset Support: For users needing to upload large datasets (beyond the 20GB limit), Figshare offers Figshare , which allows uploads up to 5TB with a one-time cost for persistent storage. Users can contact review@figshare.com for more details.
- Custom Fields and Institutional Limits: Institutional users may have access to additional custom fields and larger file size limits, which can be managed through their institutional admins.
General Enquiries
For general enquiries that are not related to support, users can use the contact form on the Figshare website. However, it’s important to note that this form should not be used for support requests, as those should be directed through the specified support channels. By leveraging these resources, users can ensure they get the help they need to effectively use Figshare for their research data management. Figshare - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Open Access and FAIR Data
Figshare is committed to open research, allowing researchers to share their outputs freely and in a way that is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR).
Free for Individual Researchers
Figshare is free to use for individual researchers, enabling them to share scholarly research outputs up to 20GB without any costs or vendor lock-in.
Ease of Use and Support
The platform is user-friendly, providing basic archiving and metadata support. It also offers assistance with uploads and ensures permanent availability of the data.
Customization and Control
Figshare allows researchers and organizations to create research management workflows that fit their needs, providing flexibility in how research outputs are shared and managed.
Scalability and Additional Features
Figshare offers additional services like Figshare Plus, which allows for larger file size uploads and more storage space, and has implemented features such as virus scanning, GDPR compliance, and custom domains.
Disadvantages
Control and Monitoring
There are concerns about the control Figshare has over the data and the potential for monitoring user activities. The platform can decide what data to offer, to whom, and when, which raises questions about data integrity and user privacy.
Lack of Transparency
Figshare’s corporate structure and governance are not transparent, making it difficult to determine who controls the platform and how decisions are made. This lack of transparency can be a significant concern for researchers.
Data Management Post-Institutional Affiliation
Researchers may lose control over their data if they leave their institution, as the data management policies can change.
Potential for Misuse
While Figshare promotes open access, there is a risk that open data could be misused or manipulated, especially if proper checks on data quality are not in place. This is a broader issue with open data but is relevant to Figshare users.
In summary, Figshare offers significant benefits in terms of open access, ease of use, and customization, but it also raises important questions about control, transparency, and the potential risks associated with open data management.
Figshare - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Figshare
- Figshare is a platform that allows researchers to share a wide range of research outputs, including papers, FAIR data, and non-traditional research outputs like code, software, multimedia files, figures, protocols, and more.
- It is free for researchers to use and provides free, open access for others to view and download the research.
- Figshare supports large file uploads (up to 20GB) and even larger datasets through Figshare , which meets funder and publisher requirements for open research.
- The platform is trusted by institutions and funders globally and is known for its ease of use and compliance with open research principles.
Potential Alternatives
Zotero
- Zotero is a powerful reference management tool that automatically detects research on the internet and allows users to organize their research into collections and tag items using keywords. It also supports collaborative work and syncing data across devices.
- Unlike Figshare, Zotero is more focused on reference management and citation rather than sharing large datasets.
JabRef
- JabRef is a free, open-source reference management software that allows users to save data in a text-based format without vendor lock-in. It supports retrieving complete bibliographic information using ISBN, DOI, and PubMed-ID, and integrates with various online catalogs.
- While JabRef is excellent for managing bibliographic data, it does not offer the same level of data sharing and collaboration as Figshare.
Sciwheel
- Sciwheel is a reference manager that integrates with Google Scholar and PubMed, allowing users to save references directly from the internet. It also provides features like automatic citation generation, note management, and article suggestions within Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
- Sciwheel is more geared towards individual researchers managing their references rather than sharing large datasets.
Sourcely
- Sourcely is an AI-powered academic search engine that helps users find, summarize, and add credible sources to their work. It streamlines the research process by providing access to over 200 million papers and advanced search filters.
- While Sourcely is useful for finding and summarizing sources, it does not offer the data sharing and repository features of Figshare.
scite.ai
- scite.ai is a tool that helps researchers evaluate scientific articles by providing Smart Citations, which display the context and indicate whether the article provides supporting or contradicting evidence. It also increases the discoverability and visibility of indexed articles.
- scite.ai focuses more on the evaluation and citation context of scientific articles rather than data sharing.
Qiqqa
- Qiqqa is a tool that secures and makes PDFs searchable on all devices. It allows users to capture annotations, comments, highlights, and tags while reading PDFs and provides powerful annotation reports.
- Qiqqa is more focused on managing and annotating PDFs rather than sharing large datasets or various types of research outputs.
AI-Enhanced Research Tools
For those looking for AI-enhanced tools to support their research workflow, alternatives include:
HeyScience
- HeyScience is an AI-powered research assistant that helps users keep up with the latest research in their field, summarize scientific papers, and assess future collaboration possibilities.
- It is particularly useful for quickly reading and grasping key concepts and conclusions of scientific papers.
Elicit
- Elicit is an AI research assistant that allows users to type in a research question or upload example articles to get related questions, subject headings, and keywords for optimized database searching.
- Elicit is free with limited usage and offers a Pro subscription for extended credits.
LitMaps and Connected Papers
- These tools use AI to generate visual literature maps and connect papers to help users explore their literature review more efficiently.
- They are free or offer limited free usage with options for Pro subscriptions.
Each of these alternatives offers unique features that can complement or replace certain aspects of Figshare, depending on the specific needs of the researcher.
Figshare - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Figshare, along with detailed responses to each:
What are the key features of Figshare Plus?
Figshare Plus is designed for researchers with large data sharing needs. Key features include:- Publishing datasets of any size, exceeding the 20GB limit of the standard Figshare platform.
- Uploading single files up to 5TB and sharing complex datasets with multiple files and folders.
- Assigning a unique DOI for each dataset, which can be cited in publications and grant reports.
- Creating a collection with a unique DOI to link all dataset items.
- Licensing work for reuse with a wider choice of Creative Commons licenses or software licenses.
- Meeting funder or publisher requirements to share data openly and FAIRly in a trusted repository.
How does Figshare ensure data scalability and availability?
Figshare is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and is deployed across multiple AWS Availability Zones and Regions to ensure high availability and fault tolerance. The platform is updated 8-12 times a year without planned downtime, and it follows AWS cloud best practices to meet IT business continuity requirements.What types of research outputs can be uploaded to Figshare?
Figshare supports a variety of research output types, including:- Figures (photos, graphs, static images)
- Media (video, audio, 3D representations)
- Datasets (raw data for analysis)
- Posters (academic conference posters)
- Journal contributions (formally published journal content)
- Conference contributions (content from academic conferences)
- Preprints (manuscripts before formal peer review and publication).
How does Figshare track usage metrics?
Figshare tracks several usage metrics, including:- Views: The number of times an item page has been viewed, with a 30-second threshold to avoid counting multiple events from the same source.
- Downloads: The number of times files in an item have been downloaded, counting each file download individually.
- Citations: Citation counts are updated monthly using data from Dimensions, a research information database.
- Altmetrics: Attention from social media, news outlets, blogs, patents, and more, which appears automatically on item pages.
Is Figshare compliant with data tracking standards?
Yes, Figshare is compliant with Make Data Count and COUNTER standards. It provides raw counts on landing pages and can export different levels of filtered counts to various services.How does Figshare handle data security and preservation?
Figshare ensures data security by encrypting data in transit and at rest. It also integrates with preservation systems, allowing institutions to use their preferred preservation services. Figshare and AWS are ISO 27001 certified, and AWS S3 provides multiple backups to prevent data loss.Can I collaborate with others on Figshare?
Yes, Figshare allows collaboration through projects. Project members can upload files, comment on items, and work collaboratively. Projects can be private until the owner chooses to make them publicly available, and members can include collaborators from outside the institution.How can I ensure anonymity for blind peer review on Figshare?
You can use the private link functionality to store outputs for blind peer review. By uploading the file, filling in the metadata, and selecting ‘Generate a private link,’ you can share the link with reviewers while removing author and institutional details.Does Figshare support integration with other tools and platforms?
Yes, Figshare integrates with several other applications, including GitHub, ORCiD, labfolder, Open Science Framework, and Binder. This allows for seamless collaboration and data management across different platforms.Can I track citations on versioned DOIs in Figshare?
Yes, Dimensions’ citation data covers both versioned and non-versioned DOIs. If a DOI is versioned, both versions are provided to Figshare to include in the citation data. Figshare - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Figshare
Figshare is a versatile and highly functional repository platform that caters to the needs of researchers, institutions, and funders by facilitating the sharing, showcasing, and management of various research outputs. Here’s a detailed assessment of who would benefit most from using Figshare and an overall recommendation.
Key Benefits
- Institutional Integration: Figshare integrates seamlessly with university systems and workflows, allowing single sign-on access with institutional credentials. This makes it particularly beneficial for researchers affiliated with institutions that have licensed Figshare.
- Versatility in Research Outputs: Figshare supports a wide range of research outputs, including data, papers, code, media, and non-traditional research outputs (NTROs) such as creative arts and practice-based research. This versatility is especially valuable for institutions with diverse research focus areas, like BIMM University.
- Discoverability and Citability: Figshare ensures that research outputs are citable, shareable, and discoverable through the allocation of DataCite DOIs and indexing on Google and Google dataset search. This enhances the visibility and impact of the research.
- Customization and Branding: Institutions can customize the Figshare platform to match their branding and organizational structure. This includes configurable subportals (Groups) that reflect the institutional hierarchy, allowing for a personalized user experience.
- Embargo and Access Control: Figshare offers flexible embargo options and access control features, allowing researchers to manage who can access their work and when. This is crucial for complying with funding mandates and institutional policies.
Who Would Benefit Most
- Researchers: Especially those in institutions that have licensed Figshare, as it provides a convenient and integrated platform for sharing and managing their research outputs.
- Institutions: Universities and research organizations can benefit from Figshare’s ability to reflect their departmental structure and provide a centralized repository for various types of research outputs.
- Creative and Non-Traditional Researchers: Institutions like BIMM University, which focus on creative arts and industries practices, can effectively showcase and share their NTROs through Figshare’s unique in-browser preview capabilities.
Overall Recommendation
Figshare is a highly recommended tool for research institutions and individual researchers looking to share, manage, and make their research outputs discoverable. Its integration with institutional systems, flexibility in handling diverse research outputs, and customizable features make it an excellent choice. Additionally, its compliance with NIH’s desirable characteristics for data repositories and its ability to allocate DOIs ensure that the research is properly cited and preserved.
For institutions considering a repository solution, Figshare’s adaptability, customization options, and support for various types of research outputs make it a strong candidate. It aligns well with the principles of open research and supports the growing need for transparent and accessible research practices.