Starting a project with Digital Observatory

Send us an inquiry. To help us understand how we can assist, include as much of the following as possible:

• Research project information
• Researcher information — research level (PhD, post-doc, etc.) and affiliated institution
• Timeline estimates and/or deadlines
• Contact details

If you need access to our databanks

If requesting data from existing databanks, ensure you've read the databank's factsheet — it contains methodological details, data properties, caveats, and significant points of consideration. Include where possible:

• Name of the databank (AusReddit, Australian Twittersphere)
• Preliminary search phrases, timeframe, and other search parameters
• Ethics application and/or approval for the project

The Digital Observatory schedules an initial meeting to discuss your project requirements. This usually takes one hour, over Zoom or in person. The aim is to establish whether the DO has the capabilities best suited to support your project, and to set out next steps.

Under new QUT Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) policies, all potential projects are reviewed by the Project Advisory Group to ascertain feasibility, costs, and whether the project sits within QUT DRI's scope of support. This is handled separately by a member of the Advisory Group, and you'll be notified once approved. Approval can take time, so reach out early.

During this phase the DO also conducts a technical feasibility assessment. For databanks, this confirms there is sufficient relevant data; for other services, it confirms we have the technical capabilities to deliver within your timeline.

Once approved, we finalise all details in a Terms of Engagement (ToE) — a written agreement between researchers and the DO specifying:

• Project scope
• Deliverables and timeline
• Project costs
• Project terms and requirements

For external (non-QUT) researchers, a contractual QUT Services Agreement is signed by both parties. Researchers may be required to provide human research ethics clearance and/or a data management plan at this phase.

The project formally starts when the Terms of Engagement and QUT Services Agreement are signed by both parties. Deliverables may go through several rounds of iteration based on collaborative input from researchers and the DO team.

The project concludes when all agreed deliverables are provided in accordance with the Terms of Engagement. Closure is formalised with a Project Handover Document, which summarises deliverables and related details, and specifies post-completion agreements between you and the DO.

Post-completion support varies depending on your project and will be specified in the Project Handover Document.