Research Data Management

What is a data management plan (DMP)

Planning is the starting point in the data lifecycle. This is where researchers define what data they will be collecting, generating, or otherwise using, and consider how this data will be stored, described, and made accessible over the course of their research. In this way, the Plan stage touches upon all later stages of the data lifecycle. These ideas are brought together in a formal document called data management plan. DMPs are required by many major funders and publishers.

The National Science Foundation (US), for example, in its Dissemination and Sharing of Research Results - NSF Data Management Plan Requirements states that grant proposals must include plans for data management and sharing of the products of research, which may include:

1. the types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials, and other materials to be produced in the course of the project;
2. the standards to be used for data and metadata format and content (where existing standards are absent or deemed inadequate, this should be documented along with any proposed solutions or remedies);
3. policies for access and sharing including provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property, or other rights or requirements;
4. policies and provisions for re-use, re-distribution, and the production of derivatives; and
5. plans for archiving data, samples, and other research products, and for preservation of access to them.

Check out various funders' DMP templates.

What does Tri-agency policy say about DMPs

Tri-agency research data management policy at section 3.2 on DMP states that

DMPs are living documents that can be modified to accommodate changes throughout the course of a research project. The content and length of DMPs depend on the research project, but all DMPs should describe:

• how data will be collected, documented, formatted, protected and preserved;
• how existing datasets will be used and what new data will be created over the course of the research project;
• whether and how data will be shared; and
• where data will be deposited.

The DMP Assistant

The DMP Assistant is a national, online, bilingual data management planning tool developed by the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance) in collaboration with host institution University of Alberta to assist researchers in preparing data management plans (DMPs). This tool is freely available to all researchers, and develops a DMP through a series of key data management questions, supported by best-practice guidance and examples.

A three-parts DMP Assistant Video Tutorial Series is available on the DMP Assistant login page.

• Introduction to Data Management Plans (DMPs)
• Introduction to DMP Assistant
• Managing DMPs with DMP Assistant

The DMPTool

The DMPTool is a service of the California Digital Library. It is a free, open-source, online application that helps researchers create data management plans (DMPs). These plans are now required by many funding agencies as part of the grant proposal submission process. The DMPTool provides a click-through wizard for creating a DMP that complies with funder requirements. It also has direct links to funder websites, help text for answering questions, and data management best practices resources.

DMP exemplars can be found on the Digital Research Alliance of Canada's website. Those examples are grouped by discipline areas such as humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.

DMP templates are also available further down the page for various studies.

Hundred of public DMPs can be found on DMPTool site where users can further focus by subject.