The Validator service performs validation checks on both the quality of implementation of the OAI-PMH protocol and the conformance of the metadata to the specific schemas. It is a rule based system which also provides an admin panel that allows its users to easily configure the individual validation rules and sets of rules, that implement the guidelines. OpenAIRE uses it to validate all its registered content providers (literature repositories, OA publishers, data repositories/archives, aggregators, CRIS systems) to the OpenAIRE guidelines.

The OpenAIRE Validator service allows to test your repository’s compatibility with the OpenAIRE Guidelines.

If validation succeeds the data source can be registered for regular aggregation and indexing in OpenAIRE. OpenAIRE allows for registration of institutional and thematic repositories registered in OpenDOAR, research data repositories registered in re3data, individual e-Journals, CRIS, aggregators and publishers.

The Validator service includes two main steps to perform the aggregation and indexing of your datasource in OpenAIRE:

1. Validation
2. Registration

1st: Validate your datasource
Test the compatibility of your repository/journal or aggregator to the OpenAIRE guidelines.

2nd: Register your datasource
Register your literature repository, data repository, journal or aggregator in OpenAIRE.

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Validator

OpenAIRE Provide > Validate your datasource (run compatibility test)

1. Select datasource
   Select from the list, or enter the base OAI URL of the repository/journal.
   The repository’s/journal’s published sets are exposed in a later stage and you may select one for the compatibility tests.
   
   
2. Select guidelines
   You may apply two types of compatibility tests on your repository:
   - Content: specific to the content/format of the dc fields
   - Usage: specific to the implementation of OAI-PMH
   You may select from a predifined set of rules (OpenAIRE for Literature Repositories, OpenAIRE for Data Archives) or customize them according to your needs.
   
   
3. Select parameters
   You may define an upper limit on the number of records tested. This is highly recommended for first time users, or when re-checking after the implementation of automated changes.
   Select one of the repository's/journal's exposed sets.
   You may also group your results by a specific field. This is quite useful when validating an aggregator and you know in advance which is the field that distinguished among data sources.
   
   
4. Finish
   Finish the compatibility test and await the results by email.

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Registration

OpenAIRE Provide > Register your datasource

Registration for Literature repositories and Data repositories:

• Literature repository in OpenDOAR
  Make sure your repository is already registered in OpenDOAR, the authoritative directory of institutional and thematic OA repositories.
• Data repository in Re3Data
  Make sure your data repository is registered in Re3Data, the global registry of research data repositories from different academic disciplines.

Registration for Open Access Journals and CRIS/Aggregators:

Make sure that your datasource is compatible with the OpenAIRE literature Guidelines.

1. Select your datasource typology
2. Follow the steps:

1. for Literature repositories and Data repositories
   
   
   
2. for Open Access Journals and CRIS/Aggregators
   

Webinar

OpenAIRE Dashboard for Content Providers: literature broker service and dashboard demo for repository managers

• Presentation
• Video

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FAQ

How do I validate my repository or journal and provide data to OpenAIRE?