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Library Library

Library Research Hack: F-UJI

Assess the FAIRness of your research dataset

13 February 2025

As a researcher, you want your work to have impact and your data to be valuable and reusable for future research. Effective Research Data Management (RDM) is key to achieving this, with adhering to the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) as an essential step. But how do you assess whether your dataset measures up?

Enter F-UJI: a tool that evaluates the FAIRness of your digital research datasets based on internationally recognised indicators. With concrete recommendations, F-UJI helps researchers, data stewards and institutions to improve the quality and accessibility of their research data, supporting the global shift toward open science.

Why FAIRness matters

FAIR data is crucial for research transparency, reproducibility, and impact. Funding organisations increasingly require researchers to publish their datasets. Moreover, adhering to FAIR principles ensures your data can be reused by other researchers, boosting its value and extending its reach.

How F-UJI works

F-UJI is a web-based tool that performs automated FAIR assessments by analysing aggregated metadata from various repositories. It evaluates datasets against generic, cross-domain indicators based on FAIR principles, and identifies areas where these principles are met and where improvements are possible.

Note: To use F-UJI, you’ll need a DOI or URL for your dataset.  

Getting started

1. Visit the F-UJI web application: F-UJI Web Tool

 2. Use the form to enter an identifier (DOI or URL) for your dataset. The tool will assess its FAIRness based on the provided metadata and suggest improvements where necessary.

3. Want more control? F-UJI's open source code is available on GitHub, where you can find installation instructions for advanced use cases, such as testing multiple datasets or running the tool in your own environment.

A few tips

Think beyond the dataset: FAIRness isn’t just about the data itself—it also depends on repositories, registries, and other services that enable long-term usability.

Be aware of the limitations of the tool: Automated tools like F-UJI are powerful, but not perfect. While the tool is based on general criteria, it may miss nuances that are specific to certain research fields. Use its results as a starting point, not the final word.

Stay informed: Tools like F-UJI are constantly evolving. Keeping up ensures your data management practices stay future-proof.

Ready to test your dataset?

Visit the F-UJI web application or explore its GitHub repository to start your FAIRness journey. By improving your data’s FAIRness, you not only boost your research’s impact but also contribute to a more open and collaborative scientific community.

Welcome to the ‘Library Research Hack,’ the Library’s feature designed to take your research to the next level. Whether you’re a student or a researcher, each month you’ll discover a new tool or application that enhances your research efficiency, effectiveness, and fun. From databases that expand your horizons to essential research identifiers and powerful software for data visualization, we explain why these resources are indispensable and guide you on how to get started.

Stay tuned – we'll be back in March with a new hack on ORCID!