Planning
This section aims to help you consider all aspects of data management at the start of a research project. From funder expectations and creating a data management plan (DMP), to re-using data and costing data management activities.
A data management plan (DMP) outlines a project’s practical approach to what data will be created, how it will be processed, stored, analysed, and how data of long-term value will be archived and shared. The content of a plan will vary by discipline but will typically cover:
- the volume and type(s) of data generated
- how data will be organised and adequately documented
- where data will be stored and backed up during the project
- how data is ethically and legally compliant
- how data will be preserved and made available for others to reuse under FAIR principles (where appropriate) in the long term
- who will be responsible for looking after your data during and after the project and what resources will be needed
Most major funders require applications to include a data management plan, and all Newcastle postgraduate researchers should develop a DMP as part of their proposal and annual submission.
Maintaining a data management plan for your research project is also good research practice. It can help you manage and look after your data throughout the lifetime of your research project and should be thought of as a "living" document that can be continually revised and updated to reflect your changing data management needs.
The benefits of a Data Management Plan
The resulting plan will have short and long-term benefits:
- saves time and resources
- makes it easier to find and understand data
- help to avoid or manage risk (e.g. data loss; accidental disclosure of sensitive or confident data)
- continuous access and interpretation of the data within your project’s team
- identifies tasks and responsibilities that need to be planned for in advance (e.g. managing ethical and legal obligations)
- identifies in advance any extra costs and resources needed for carrying out data management activities
- if required, allows for the validation of your published results
- ensure your research is visible and has impact
The Research Data Management team are happy to discuss your DMP with you and to provide feedback and comments on your drafted plan. If you would like to send us your DMP we aim to provide feedback as promptly as possible, subject to demand. Please make us aware of any urgent deadlines that you have. To help you get started, we have created guidance and provide an online tool to aid their creation. PGRs are encouraged to discuss their DMPs with supervisors in the first instance.
Writing a Data Management Plan
Data Management Plans (DMPs) generally require a researcher to describe the research data they will create, how they will do it, how the data will be stored, managed and processed during the project, and how valuable data will be shared. The resulting plan will have short and long-term benefits.
As part of the process of writing a DMP you should consider:
- Finding and reusing data.
- Active data storage.
- Collaboration.
- Organising data.
- Data sharing (How will valuable data outlive the project?).
- Guide to the university's repository.
DMP Review
The Research Data Service (RDS) can review draft DMPs making sure they cover all the key areas. Many funders make stipulations regarding where and for how long data must be made available following the completion of a project. Knowing funder codes of practice and expectations early will benefit you.
Email your draft DMP to the research data management team in the library. To help provide the context to your research, please also send background information along with specific questions you might have. We aim to review DMPs as soon as possible, please let us know if you have a tight deadline.
DMPonline
DMPonline is a flexible web-based tool that assists in the creation of DMPs. It provides templates and guidelines for the many of research funders.