Research Data Management

The following are examples of data management plans (DMPs) collected from various sources and disciplines:

• Sample DMP from ICPSR (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research)
• Sample DMPs adhering to NSF guidelines from DataOne (Data Observation Network for Earth)
• Sample DMPs from the Odum Institute for Research in Social Science
• Sample DMPs for studies involving human subjects from the National Institutes of Health
• Sample DMPs from successful grant applications from the National Endowment for the Humanities

1. Types of data
   • What kinds of data - survey, interview, observation, machine or instrument collected, physical samples, models, etc. - are you collecting?
   • What formats - paper, digital, image, audio, other - will the data be in?
   • How much data – number of files, size of files, total size if all stored in one computer folder – will you collect?
2. Data formats and standards
   • Do you have coding sheets, data dictionaries or other documentation to explain terms, variable names, codes and abbreviations used?
   • Have you provided documentation describing how the data were collected or created?
   • Have you used standard collection methods, standard data formats, and standard file format choices (if these exist for your research field)?
3. Data access policies
   • Have you removed personal or sensitive information from your data to ensure privacy protection?             
   • Have you established who owns the copyright of your data?
   • Do you have documentation on how institutional and personal credit should be acknowledged for your data?
   • Are your data, records, and files labeled and logically organized?
   • Have you used consistent and easy to understand file names?
4. Data use and distribution
   • How will your data be made available?
   • Do you plan to limit or restrict re-use or re-distribution of your data? If so, why and for how long?
   • Are you planning to enforce an embargo period during which your research data will not be available outside of your research team?
5. Data preservation and archiving
   • Have you identified a Digital Repository or other infrastructure that will make your research data accessible to view and download?
   • Have you made arrangements for the long-term storage and preservation of your data (both physical and digital collection items)?
   • Do you have data security plans in place to ensure that copies of your data are stored and backed up on a regular basis?
   • If there are costs associated with depositing your data in a Digital Repository, or otherwise ensuring their long-term preservation, do you have funding to cover those costs?
   • Are you using data formats and software that enable sharing and ensure long-term validity of data, such as non-proprietary software and software based on open standards?
   • When converting from one format to another, have you checked that no data are lost or changed in the process?

Source: University of Arizona Libraries, https://lib.asu.edu/data/plan.

DMPTool is a free, online application that helps researchers create data management plans. Templates are provided for major funding agencies and information is updated when funders release new requirements. A step-by-step wizard guides users through the process of generating a DMP.

The DMPTool can be accessed at https://dmptool.org.

The UNC Office of Sponsored Programs offers additional information about data management plans on their website, with specific emphasis on National Science Foundation guidelines.