Introduction to RDM and Data Management Planning

Sarah JonesDCC, University of Glasgowsarah.jones@glasgow.ac.uk

Twitter: sjDCC

RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT

All manner of things that researchers produce in the course of their work

What is research data?

Research data are collected, observed or created, for the purposes of analysis to produce and validate original research results

Both analogue and digital materials are 'data'

Digital data can be: created in a digital form ("born digital")converted to a digital form (digitised)

Defining research data

“the active management and appraisal of data over the lifecycle of scholarly and

scientific interest”

Data management is part of good research practice

What is Research Data Management?

Create

Document

Use

Store

Share

Preserve

What is involved in RDM?

- Data Management Planning (DMPs)

- Creating data

- Documenting data

- Storing data

- Sharing data

- Preserving data

Why manage research data?

- so data can be found and understand when needed

- to make sure research projects can be completed!

- to avoid unnecessary duplication

- to validate results if required

- so research is visible and has impact

- to get credit when others cite the research

Good data management is about making informed decisions

5 key points to share...

1. Research funders expect DMPs

www.dcc.ac.uk/resources/policy-and-legal/overview-funders-data-policies

2. Researchers should seek consent for data sharing & preservation too

If not, data centres won’t be able to accept the data– regardless of any conditions on the original grant.

3. Some formats are better for the long-term

Type Recommended Avoid for data sharing

Tabular data CSV, TSV, SPSS portable Excel

Text Plain text, HTML, RTFPDF/A only if layout matters

Word

Media Container: MP4, OggCodec: Theora, Dirac, FLAC

QuicktimeH264

Images TIFF, JPEG2000, PNG GIF, JPG

Structured data XML, RDF RDBMS

Data centres may have preferred formats for deposit.

If researchers plan to deposit in data centres they should check their expectations at the start of the research process.

Further examples: http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/create-manage/format/formats-table

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4. One copy = risk of data loss

5. Researchers should know their options

Encourage researchers to find out what support is available – Speak to the library & local IT support– Check out what facilities are available in the department– See what others in their discipline are doing– Find out what their funder expects and offers– Check out external data centres - http://databib.org

Managing and sharing data guide by the UKDAwww.data-archive.ac.uk/media/2894/managingsharing.pdf

DATA MANAGEMENT PLANNING

What is a DMP?

A short plan written by researchers that outlines

• what data they will create and how

• how they will manage it (storage, back-up, access…)

• plans for data sharing and preservation

Why develop a DMP?

DMPs are often submitted with grant applications, but are useful whenever you are creating data to:

• Make informed decisions to anticipate and avoid problems

• Avoid duplication, data loss and security breaches

• Develop procedures early on for consistency

• Ensure data are accurate, complete, reliable and secure

• Save time and effort – make your life easier!

What do research funders want?

• A brief plan submitted in grant applications

• 1-3 sides of A4 as attachment or a section in Je-S form

• Typically a prose statement covering suggested themes

• An outline of data management and sharing plans, justifying decisions and any limitations

Five common themes1. Description of data to be collected / created

(i.e. content, type, format, volume...)

2. Standards / methodologies for data collection & management

3. Ethics and Intellectual Property (highlight any restrictions on data sharing e.g. embargoes, confidentiality)

4. Plans for data sharing and access (i.e. how, when, to whom)

5. Strategy for long-term preservation

www.dcc.ac.uk/resources/data-management-plans/checklist

Tips on writing DMPs

• Keep it simple, short and specific

• Seek advice - consult and collaborate

• Base plans on available skills and support

• Make sure implementation is feasible

• Justify any resources or restrictions needed

A useful framework to get started

Think about why the questions are being

asked

Look at examples to get an idea of what

to include

www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/content/datamanagement/dmp/framework.html

Example plans

• Technical plan submitted to AHRC by Bristol Unihttp://data.bris.ac.uk/files/2013/02/data.bris-AHRC-Technical-Plan-v21.pdf

• Rural Economy & Land Use (RELU) programme exampleshttp://relu.data-archive.ac.uk/data-sharing/planning/examples

• UCSD example DMPs (20+ scientific plans for NSF)http://rci.ucsd.edu/dmp/examples.html

• My DMP – a satire (what not to write!) http://ivory.idyll.org/blog/data-management.html

Help from the DCC

https://dmponline.dcc.ac.uk

www.dcc.ac.uk/resources/ how-guides/develop-data-plan

A web-based tool to help researchers write data management plans, based on the DCC Checklist for a DMP

How does DMPonline work?

Create a plan based on

relevant funder / institutional templates...

...and then answer the questions using the tailored

guidance provided

Institutions can customise DMPonline

Select / write desired questions

Add your logo, colours, URL…

Profile local support via custom guidance and

boilerplate text

Thanks – any questions?

DCC guidance, tools and case studies:www.dcc.ac.uk/resources

Follow us on twitter: @digitalcuration and #ukdcc

How to support researchers with DMPs?

What role do (or should) you play?- Raising awareness of requirements?- Providing basic advice?- Pointing researchers to relevant services?- Helping to write plans and cost in RDM support?

What do you need to support researchers?- Guidance on the intranet / FAQs?- Training (more than today?)- More time/resource?