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Research Data Management

Learn how to manage your research data throughout the data lifecycle: including data management plans, data organization, file formats, as well as data sharing/re-use.

Research Data Management 101

Definitions of research data:

“Data are outputs of research and inputs to scholarly publications and inputs to subsequent sharing and learning” (Borgman, 2007)  

“…Recorded factual material commonly accepted in the research community as necessary to validate research findings.” (OMB Circular A-110 36.d.2.i.)

Research data comes in many different forms and definitions of research data can vary based on the research community.

Examples of data include:

  • Images and Video
  • Mapping/GIS Data/Geodatabases
  • Numerical measurements
  • Survey responses
  • Focus group or interview transcripts
  • Economic indicators
  • Polls
  • Computer modeling
  • Simulations
  • Observations and/or field studies
  • Code or Software
  • DNA or Blood Samples
  • Physical Collections

Federal funding agencies also define data in different ways. Below are just a few examples of the varying definitions.

NIH defines data as “recorded factual material commonly accepted in the scientific community as necessary to document, support, and validate research findings.” Source: NIH Data Sharing Policy and Implementation Guidance

NSF defines data as “determined by the community of interest through the process of peer review and program management.” Source: NSF Data Management & Sharing Frequently Asked Questions

NEH defines data as “materials generated or collected during the course of conducting research.” Source: Data Management Plans for NEH Office of Digital Humanities Proposals and Awards.

Data management is the day to day management of data to support the collection, organization, sharing, preservation and re-use of proejct data. 

The Research Data Management Lifecycle

As data moves through the Research Data Management Lifecycle, researchers need to consider:

  • How will the data be collected and organized?
  • How will we document our research data and processes?
  • What privacy concerns or access rights do we need to consider?
  • Where should I submit my data for archiving, preservation and public access?

 

Funder Requirements

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 describes the administrative requirements for grants and proposals awarded to institutions of higher education, hospitals and other non-profit organizations. In 1999, Circular A-110 was revised to include a data sharing component under the provision of the Freedom of Information Act which requires grantees to provide access to research data funded by the federal government in a timely manner. See Public Access Policies for more detailed information about agency requirements.

Managing your data throughout the data lifecycle is important for three main reasons:

  1. It ensures research data and records are accurate and complete making data understandable to people outside the project.
  2. Data management and public access to data is a requirement of federal grant and funding bodies.
  3. Journals and Publishers are also now requiring data to be publicly available.

Managing your data from the beginning of the research project will save you time and effort later on.

Also, you won't have to have this conversation: