A good data backup strategy is crucial in preventing data loss and ensuring long term availability of data for future reuse. This section shares good practice in formulating backup strategy, storage media selection and suggested file formats to preserve your research data for long-term access.
When formulating your back-up plan, you need to consider a number of factors like the value of the research data, expected level of risk, affordability of cost and time effort, and so on. Below are some good practices for your reference:
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Apply the 3-2-1 rules
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Schedule your backup Backup your data on a regular interval and after every significant change to the data. |
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Regular check on data integrity Test your backup periodically to ensure you can recover the data from a backup in case of need. Migrate the data file to new storage media periodically to prevent obsoletion of storage media. Perform checksum after backup and data migration. |
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Use file format with long-term availability Use non-proprietary file format with open documentation, or file format that is widely adopted, if possible. |
There is no perfect storage media that can provide convenient access yet never suffer from damage, loss, obsolescence. A good practice is to keep your research data in at least two different types of storage media. This helps to diversify the risks at the storage location and for both short term or long term storage. Also, it is advised to do periodical check on the accessibility of the data.
N.B At the university of Fort Hare we encourage researchers to make use of the Microsoft one drive to ensure that their data is safe at all times..
| Storage Media |
Advantages |
Risks |
Suitable for |
 Laptop |
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Temporary |
 Desktop PC |
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Temporary |
 External Storage |
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Temporary |
 Microsoft one drive |
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Master Copy |
 Cloud Services/Google drive |
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Collaboration with |