Withdrawing a published dataset from dissemination
If the dataset has already been published, it cannot be deleted. However, the curator/administrator can remove the dataset (or certain versions) so it is not disseminated.
Edit the dataset > Deaccession Dataset
The curator/administrator then has to fill in a form explaining the reasons for the withdrawal, for example "Request from the research ethics committee" or "Invalid dataset".
Following withdrawal, the dataset (or the version concerned) is withdrawn so it is no longer disseminated or indexed.
Neither the metadata nor the files are visible for visitors but it is still possible for the person making the submission to create a new version based on the withdrawn version.
It should be noted that the citation metadata and the dataset contact details DO remain accessible (notably via the URL, or for those with administrator/curator rights to the dataset) even if the data themselves are no longer available.
The DOI remains active:
- For datasets when only the latest version has been withdrawn from dissemination, The DOI links to the previous version of the dataset which is the last publicly available version.
- For datasets when only one or more previous versions have been removed, the DOI links to the latest version. It is possible for other users to view the history of previous versions, but the metadata and the files of the removed version will not be visible to them.
- For datasets where all versions have been withdrawn, the DOI links to a ‘tombstone’ landing page (see screenshot below).
