# Collecting and Accessing Research Data

**Source**: https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/collect-access/
**Parent**: https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/home/

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- [DRI Portal Home](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/home/)
- [Intro to Data & Data Management Plans](/dri_portal/intro/)
  - [What is Research Data?](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/intro/)
  - [How Do I Create a Data Management Plan?](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/dmp/)
- [Data Storage and Sharing](/dri_portal/store-data/)
  - [Where Can I Store My Research Data?](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/store-data/)
  - [How Do I Share My Research Data?](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/share-data/)
  - [How Do I Preserve My Research Data?](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/preserve-data/)
  - [How Do I Safeguard My Data?](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/safeguard-data/)
- [Working with Research Data](/dri_portal/collect-access/)
  - [Collecting and Accessing Research Data](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/collect-access/)
  - [Where Can I Access Software and Compute Resources?](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/analyze-compute/)
  - [Get Help with Research Computing](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/computing/)
  - [Data Bites](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/databites/)
- [About](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/about/)
  - [About DRI@UT](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/about/)
  - [Research Data Management at U of T](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/rdm/)

[Home](https://cris.utoronto.ca/) » [DRI Portal](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/) » Collecting and Accessing Research Data

# **Collecting and Accessing Research Data**

### **Data Collection and Access**

Methods used to collect data vary based on the type of research. Data collection may involve technology or manual procedures.

## **Survey Tool Options**

A variety of survey tools are available for research. Selecting the appropriate survey tool depends on the research project and data collection needs. This includes data storage and sharing, access permissions, complexity of the data collected, and data retention.

### [REDCap](https://cris.utoronto.ca/redcap-resources/)

REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a free and secure web application that University of Toronto faculty and researchers can use to build and manage online surveys and databases. While REDCap can be used to collect virtually any type of data, it is specifically geared to support online or offline data capture for research studies and operations.

### [Microsoft Forms](https://easi.its.utoronto.ca/shared-services/office365/forms/)

Microsoft Forms allows for quick and easy creation of surveys, questionnaires and polls. It is relatively simplistic in functionality. Data collected via the Forms tool is currently for [Level 2](https://security.utoronto.ca/framework/standards/data-classification/). Collected data is automatically converted into charts and graphs for quick analysis and interpretation.

## **Where Can I Find or License Data?**

### [Map and Data Library](https://mdl.library.utoronto.ca/about/contact)

The Map and Data Library has an extensive collection of data – from georeferenced historical maps to microdata from government-collected surveys. Contact their team to help locate datasets.

### [Data Sciences Institute – Data Access Grants](https://datasciences.utoronto.ca/data-access-grant/%20)

The Data Sciences Institute will provide grants of up to $10,000 to cover costs associated with accessing and working with large data sources that are necessary to carry out data-intensive research projects.

### [Lunaris](https://www.lunaris.ca/en)

The Alliance Research Data Management team, in collaboration with partners of the Federated Research Data Repository (FRDR), are developing Lunaris, the new platform for data discovery. Lunaris will integrate both text- and map-based searching to offer a dynamic and intuitive discovery experience for researchers.

[«](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/safeguard-data/) [How Do I Safeguard My Data?](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/safeguard-data/)

[Data Bites](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/databites/) [»](https://cris.utoronto.ca/dri_portal/databites/)

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Table of Contents​

Contents

- [Data Collection and Access](#Data_Collection_and_Access)

- [Survey Tool Options](#Survey_Tool_Options)
  - [REDCap](#REDCap)
  - [Microsoft Forms](#Microsoft_Forms)
- [Where Can I Find or License Data?](#Where_Can_I_Find_or_License_Data)
  - [Map and Data Library](#Map_and_Data_Library)
  - [Data Sciences Institute – Data Access Grants](#Data_Sciences_Institute_Data_Access_Grants)
  - [Lunaris](#Lunaris)