Research Data Management
Our RDM services assist researchers with organising, managing, curating and sharing their research data, to facilitate its preservation and access for present and future use. Together with UCT eResearch and ICTS , we give you access to the tools you need to manage your data, and enhance and complete your research.
Digital Scholarship
Digital Scholarship is all around us as we rely on many digital technologies to do our research. At DLS we offer guidance on a variety of platforms and processes, assisting you to choose which digital tools will make your research more efficient. We support a variety of project types involving digitisation, data collection, curation and publication.
Data Curation
DLS engages in a rigorous process of indexing and classification of all digital media. We assist in the creation of digital curation profiles, through the process of data curation interviews, for users needing curation services. The curation profile will identify the appropriate and required metadata schemas to be used for the description of all digital items. This information ensures that the digital objects are findable and searchable, and that the data are ready for publishing or preservation, as required.
GIS support
Because everything happens somewhere everything can be associated with a spatial location. These locations can be mapped in space, either for simple visualisation or for complex analyses. Maps are an incredibly powerful visualisation tool which allow us to view and display our data in interesting and informative ways. They allow us to see patterns in our data, not just refer to them. They also allow us to communicate our findings in a clear and succinct manner.
The full potential of GIS is realised when performing spatial analyses. Different types of analyses exist to satisfy various needs. DLS’ GIS services assist with GIS software acquisition, project planning, troubleshooting, analysis and cartographic design.
Digitisation for Preservation
When building archives, it is commonplace that the archives consist of legacy and or physical objects. DLS' initial position in the library was to offer a digitisation service for the university, being able to convert legacy media objects to a variety of digital formats. DLS not only has the required equipment to handle a variety of formats, from still media to moving audio visual, but also the team with the skills to ensure these conversions are completed according to international standards.
Training
DLS offers a variety of training sessions on a number of processes and all of our platforms. You can contact us for direct sessions specific to your department, or engage with our online schedule and look through our past presentations. All of our resources can be found on our OSF site .