Research Data Management

A data management plan (DMP) is a living document which you create at the beginning of a research project, and constantly revise as you come across new findings that will affect the way you manage your data. Your DMP should identify:

• Individuals who are responsible for conducting the research and managing the data  
• The type of data you are collecting
• How you will describe and document your data
• Where you will store your data 
• How you will ensure data security throughout your project
• How your data will be backed up to prevent loss
• How you will handle confidential and sensitive data to ensure privacy
• How other researchers can access your data
• Where your data will be preserved and archived long-term once your research is completed
• How others can find your data

Data management plans are important because:

• They help researchers meet funding agency requirements.
• They help researchers determine the costs, benefits, and challenges of managing data.
• They help researchers, current and future research colleagues, and future researchers access your findings.
• They contribute to verification and transparency of research.
• They contribute to the reuse and integration of data for new discoveries and innovations.
• They raise the profile of your research.

DMP Assistant is a bilingual, web-based tool for creating data management plans (DMPs). Step-by-step, it walks researchers through the creation of a data management plan. Create an account and get started with your DMP!

You will be prompted to answer questions regarding:

• Data collection: What type of data will you be collecting? What file format(s) will you use, and how will you name the files and assign versions?
• Documentation and metadata: What methods will you use to document and describe your data (read-me files, data dictionaries, etc.)?
• Storage and backup: Who in your research team has what type of access to different data? How often and where will the data be backed up and stored?
• Preservation: Where will your data be kept (discipline-specific or general repositories), and in what file format?
• Data sharing and reuse: Do you have a data sharing statement indicating where your data can be found, and under what conditions it can be reused?
• Responsibilities and resources: Who will be responsible for the data once the research project is complete?
• Ethical and legal compliance: How will you manage sensitive data and handle legal issues?

Sharing Plans: You can invite collaborators to read or edit your plan.

Exporting Plans: You can export plans in various formats, for example as part of a grant application.

Below are some links where you can find examples of data management plans across a number of disciplines.