> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://fdilab.gitbook.io/open-data-commons/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://fdilab.gitbook.io/open-data-commons/readme/readme.md).

# The Open Data Commons

## Welcome to the Open Data Commons

The Open Data Commons (ODC) is a cloud-based community-governed repository to store, share, and publish research data on Spinal Cord Injury ([odc-sci.org](https://odc-sci.org/)) and Traumatic Brain Injury ([odc-tbi.org](https://odc-tbi.org/)). The ODC team is constituted of a multidisciplinary group of individuals highly committed to to [Open Science](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/principles-of-the-odc.md#open-science):

* [ODC-SCI Team](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/welcome-to-odc-sci.md)
* [ODC-TBI Team](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/welcome-to-odc-tbi.md)

The ODC would not exist without the support of several institutions. We are thankful for all the support and funding that make this project possible:

* [ODC-SCI Funding](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/welcome-to-odc-sci/odc-sci-funding.md)
* [ODC-TBI Funding](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/welcome-to-odc-tbi/odc-tbi-funding.md)

## Why the ODCs?

The SCI community created the ODC-SCI repository to mitigate dark data in SCI research. This was followed by the creation of the ODC-TBI repository. The ODC aims to increase transparency with individual-level data, enhance collaboration, facilitate analytics, and conform to increasing mandates by funders and publishers to make data accessible. The ODC implements stewardship principles that scientific data be made [FAIR ](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/principles-of-the-odc.md#fair-data)(Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and has been widely adopted by the international SCI and TBI research communities.

The ODC is a [protected space](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc.md) to store and share data with your colleagues and the public. Access to data is protected and restricted through a combination of the user [Account Type](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/account-types.md), [Lab User Role](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/verified-laboratories-the-lab-space.md#lab-user-levels), and [Data Storage Space](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/data-spaces.md). To upload data, you ***must*** belong to a [Verified Laboratory (Lab Space)](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/verified-laboratories-the-lab-space.md) on the ODC.

* [<mark style="color:purple;">Personal Space</mark>](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/data-spaces.md#personal-space) (uploaded data is accessible to the uploader and the [PI](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/verified-laboratories-the-lab-space.md#laboratory-pi) of the Lab Space)
* [<mark style="color:orange;">Lab Space</mark>](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/data-spaces.md#lab-space) (uploaded data is accessible to all members of the Lab Space)
* [Community Space](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/data-spaces.md#community-space) (uploaded data is accessible to all registered Community Members)
* [<mark style="color:green;">Public Space</mark>](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/data-spaces.md#public-space) (uploaded data is accessible to the general public\*)

{% hint style="warning" %}
\*Anyone can *view* the list of public datasets and their accompanying metadata at anytime without a user account. **Downloading data from the Public Space requires a user account** - this ensures that data users agree to the ODC data use agreement and terms & conditions.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/gVgVa33o7JSHxGAG0tIh" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Each Lab Space is managed by a [Principal Investigator (PI)](/open-data-commons/how-to-get-help/glossary.md#pi), who approves membership to their lab and manages the sharing and publication of their lab's datasets. A dataset is uploaded by default into the user’s Personal Space, where it can then be moved freely between the Personal (most restricted access) and Lab Space. The Laboratory PI can choose to make a dataset available to the research community by sharing to the Community Space, or make it public and citable through the DOI request process; once reviewed and approved, the PI controls the release of the dataset to the Public Space (least restricted access).

{% hint style="info" %}
Learn more about the purpose of the different [ODC Data Spaces](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/data-spaces.md)
{% endhint %}

## What Data is Accepted?

The ODC accepts any Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) associated datasets submitted in .csv (comma-separated values) file format (i.e., tabular data in spreadsheet format). This includes in vivo and in vitro data. *Human data must be de-identified prior to uploading to the ODC.*

Every dataset published on the ODCs contains three basic components:

1. The Subject Data File
2. The Data Dictionary File
3. Narrative Metadata

{% hint style="info" %}
Learn more about the [components of an ODC Dataset](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/elements-of-an-odc-dataset.md)
{% endhint %}

Data uploaders can choose to submit an optional methodology file (in .doc or .pdf file format) and/or supplementary files (in .pdf, .csv, .jpg, .png, and .gif file formats) to accompany uploaded datasets. The ODC does not currently support upload of raw imaging datasets (e.g., microscopy, CT, MRI).

To ensure data is [FAIR](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/principles-of-the-odc.md#fair-data), the ODC implements basic [formatting](/open-data-commons/data-specifications-and-standards/format-and-structure-specifications.md) and [data reporting](broken://pages/bgd8bftOYUMogS73QZIc) requirements.

{% hint style="danger" %}
It is the user's responsibility to make sure they have the right permissions to upload data. For human data, users are responsible for the de-identification and for all documentation required for sharing data. To learn more, please see the ODC [Terms of Use](https://fdilab.gitbook.io/open-data-commons/extras/terms-of-use)
{% endhint %}

## Why Share Data?

There are several challenges to scientific reproducibility and bench-to-bedside translation. For example, only research and published data are disseminated, a phenomenon known as **publication bias**. Published research reflects only a tiny fraction of all data collected. Data that do not lead to publication are largely ignored, hidden in filing cabinets and hard drives. This results in an abundance of inaccessible scientific data known as “**dark data**.” When research is disseminated, it is usually in summary reports of aggregated data (e.g., averages across individual subjects) such as scientific articles.

{% hint style="info" %}
Visit our [Publications](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/publications.md) page to read more about data sharing and the ODC
{% endhint %}

## View Our [Get Started](/open-data-commons/tutorials/start-here.md) Tutorials

Follow this collection of tutorials to learn the basics of getting started on the ODC as quickly as possible

{% content-ref url="/pages/TQV8922l3RIxZhWQX23E" %}
[Get Started](/open-data-commons/tutorials/start-here.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Dive a Little Deeper

Learn more about the ODC

{% content-ref url="/pages/Lbv2eJdQZaszB2PIo2Kf" %}
[Principles of the ODC](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/principles-of-the-odc.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/gMKKaomseGx98p7mNofS" %}
[Benefits of Data Sharing](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/benefits-of-data-sharing.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/1HJ7tiNVfgVde5zo5xpi" %}
[Data Protection & Privacy in the ODC](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://fdilab.gitbook.io/open-data-commons/readme/readme.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
