Phaidra FAQ
What is Phaidra?
Phaidra is the University of Vienna's repository where you can publish and long-term archive your digital scholarly materials, research data and teaching resources in a variety of formats. Visit our website for more information.
Who can use Phaidra?
All members (staff and students) of the University of Vienna can use Phaidra with their u:account for an upload, worldwide, Phaidra can be used as a search engine for scientific materials and research data of the University of Vienna.
Why should I use Phaidra?
If you want to store and publish your scientific materials and research data (images, texts, data, videos, audios,...) on a long-term basis: You can describe your objects with metadata and they automatically get a Persistent Identifier with which they always remain findable. At the same time, by archiving your data you comply with the FAIR principles and the research data policy of the University of Vienna.
What is a Persistent Identifier?
A PI is a permanent link under which your object can always be found. Automatically, when a dataset is uploaded to Phaidra, this permanent address is assigned as a Phaidra-link and handle-link. If desired, a DOI can also be assigned, this DOI-service is free of charge.
Why am I not allowed to delete objects in PHAIDRA?
Objects are automatically assigned a Persistent Identifier (PI) in PHAIDRA. This means that long-term archived objects can always be found under this link. If you were to delete an object in PHAIDRA, this would no longer correspond to the intention of a PI, which is to ensure that the object can always be found, and would contradict our terms of use. In exceptional cases (e.g. legal necessity), an official deletion request with a comprehensible justification can be submitted to our support team: support.phaidra@univie.ac.at
Alternatively, it is possible to prevent access to an object in PHAIDRA by means of authorisations, but please bear in mind that the metadata remains visible worldwide.
What are metadata?
With Metadata you describe your object so that it can be read and retrieved by machines. The metadata editor of Phaidra provides you with flexible expandable metadata fields, 8 of which are mandatory fields marked with *. You can also change and add metadata later. Metadata specifications in Phaidra follow FAIR principles - records become findable, accessible, interoperable and re-usable.
Is there a test instance to try out?
Yes, there is a Phaidra sandbox where you can try out all functionalities. The sandbox is accessible in the network of the University of Vienna and externally via Uni-VPN.
Are there user guides for working with Phaidra?
Yes, we have user guides for working with Phaidra on our website. And we also offer workshops for a practical introduction to Phaidra, you can find the dates here. You are also welcome to contact us anytime in between for individual trainings support.phaidra@univie.ac.at.
Where can I find Phaidra?
You can find the Phaidra portal here. Log in with your u:account in the upper right corner. The user interface is also available in english, you only have to switch the language.
Who can see my objects?
The objects are visible worldwide if you have not assigned a right of access and thus block the view on your object. Metadata of your object are always visible worldwide. All records will be found in internet search engines.
Is there a storage limit in Phaidra?
No. But for data with more than 100 GB please contact our technical support before uploading support.phaidra@univie.ac.at
Can I upload all formats?
Yes. But there are recommended and not recommended formats for all object types, you can find the suitable formats on our website.
Do I have to pay attention to copyrights?
Yes. Before uploading an object, you must have clarified the rights to that object (please, read our Terms of Use ). Rights assignment is a mandatory field in Phaidra. You can choose from different license models, here you can find detailed information about each license. Once you assign a license, you cannot change it.
Can I delete an object again?
No. You cannot delete uploaded objects. In exceptional cases, e.g. for legal reasons, you can submit a justified deletion request to our support support.phaidra@univie.ac.at If you only want to archive data on a medium-term basis, other services of the Central IT Service of the University of Vienna are available: u:cloud, u:cloud pro, Share, Temp-Space, details can be found here.
Can I change the information in my record later?
Yes. If you are logged in, then you can change the details in the metadata editor. You cannot change an assigned free license.
Research data management and data management plan - where do I get support?
For all questions regarding the Research Data Management and Data Management Plan, please contact rdm@univie.ac.at. Or please, visit the RDM website.
I have more questions about Phaidra, what to do?
No problem. Contact our support address with your request at any time support.phaidra@univie.ac.at.