Definition
Data migration is the process of permanently transferring data between storage types, formats, databases, or computer systems. The migration of data from one storage location to another, or from one format to another, can be a complex complicated process requiring preparation, extraction, and automation.
Preservation principles are essential during data migration to ensure that data is not lost or damaged when it is being migrated. Data migration can happen for a variety of reasons, including changing vendors, upgrading to a new system or software version, or migrating from an obsolete software to a more modern one.
Legacy data that was collected using Microsoft Access and Excel spreadsheets is migrated to REDCap for better organizing and security of data.
Dunn WDJ, Cobb J, Levey AI, & Gutman DA. (2016). REDLetr: Workflow and tools to support the migration of legacy clinical data capture systems to REDCap. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 93, 103–110.
Further Resources
The book provides step-by-step instructions, checklists, and expert advice to help library staff without programming knowledge address common conceptual and technical issues encountered in migrations.
Banerjee, K. & Parks, B. (2017). Migrating library data: A practical manual. Chicago : ALA Neal-Schuman.
The article describes the migration and ingest of scientific research data from one institution to another:
Trippel & Zinn (2021). Lessons learned: on the challenges of migrating a research data repository from a research institution to a university library. Lang. Resour. Eval. 55, 1, 191–207. https://aclanthology.org/L18-1023.pd