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EnglishWhat Can I Use Mendeley Data For?
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Mendeley Data is a research data repository you can use to find datasets published by other researchers and to publish and share your own. It is most useful when you need a citable home for research data, want to discover datasets connected to a field of study, or need to make data available alongside a paper. It is not a general search engine for books, ebooks, or library catalogues, despite how some descriptions of the site are worded.
Finding and accessing research datasets
The core use is discovery. You can search for datasets by topic, browse by subject area, and open individual records to see the files, description, and version history. Each published dataset gets a DOI, which means you can cite it in a paper or reference list the same way you cite an article.
Typical tasks:
- Locate a dataset cited in a paper you are reading
- Check whether reusable data already exists before collecting your own
- Download files to reproduce or extend someone else's analysis
- Verify the exact version of a dataset that a published result was based on
When you open a dataset record, expect to see a description, contributor names, licence terms, and the files themselves. Licence and access conditions are set by the depositor, so check them before reuse rather than assuming open reuse.
Publishing and sharing your own data
The second main use is depositing data so others can find and cite it. This suits researchers who need a persistent identifier, a stable landing page, and a place to attach files that is separate from a journal's supplementary material.
A typical deposit flow looks like this:
- Create or sign in to an account.
- Start a new dataset and give it a title and description.
- Upload files and add any supporting documentation (codebook, README, methods notes).
- Choose the licence and visibility settings.
- Publish to generate a DOI.
The expected result is a public, citable record. Before publishing, confirm that your funder, journal, or institution accepts this repository, and check whether your data contains anything that must be restricted.
What it is not for
Some third-party descriptions of the site mention searching books, ebooks, papers, library records, or reading archives. Treat that as a description of a broader reference-management product family rather than of the data repository itself. If your goal is literature search or managing a personal reading library, a reference manager or a library catalogue is the right tool. If your goal is the data behind the research, this repository is the right tool.
Choosing whether to use it
| Your goal | Suitable? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Find reusable datasets in your field | Yes | Search and browse are built for this |
| Get a DOI for your own dataset | Yes | Published datasets receive persistent identifiers |
| Share data linked to a paper | Yes | Provides a stable landing page and files |
| Search for papers, books, or ebooks | No | That is a different kind of tool |
| Store sensitive or restricted data | Check first | Access terms are set by the depositor and the repository's policies |
Practical points before you commit
- Read the licence on any dataset you download; reuse terms vary by depositor.
- Cite the dataset version you actually used, not just the latest one.
- For deposits, prepare documentation before uploading — a dataset without a description or codebook is hard for others to reuse.
- Confirm institutional or funder requirements, since not every policy names this repository as an approved destination.