Data Management
Data Management Plan
Data Management
Data Management Plan
A data management plan is a living document
A DMP is meant to be an agile document that changes and develops with your research. The research process is rarely linear and therefore the DMP cannot be written as a static plan to follow. The DMP will help you structure, reflect and improve on your data handling process and should be updated continuously through your entire project.
On this page you can find local and national resources to help you understand and make your own data management plan.
Benefits of writing a Data Management Plan
- Increase value and impact: A DMP is a great way to ensure that the handling of the data in the research process are managed, organized and described. This creates transparency in the research process which promotes reliability and impact on data reusability.
- Increase data’s FAIRness: A DMP is an excellent tool to start your reflections early on how to make your data FAIR. Often DMP-templates contain questions regarding the FAIR principles, which can help start your reflections.
- Identify potential obstacles: When writing a DMP you are forced to think about how you wish to handle the data throughout the research process. A DMP can therefore help plan ahead and identify potential obstacles or problems early in the research process.
- Documentation and timesaving: Having trouble remembering how data you created 6 months or 1 year ago were processed? Continuously updating the DMP supports the decision making and makes it possible to go back and find how the data were handled and what decisions were made about the data.
Quick tips for your data management plan
- Start writing your DMP as early as possible. Your DMP will change over time to reflect the way you handle your data through the research process.
- Use a DMP-template to ensure that you cover all relevant topics. Be aware that some funders require that you use a specific template.
- Work with your DMP in a way that makes sense for you and your research process. Remember to regularly update your DMP so it reflects changes or new decisions.
- Argue for your choices. Describe why you have chosen to handle the data in that exact way.
Guides and tools for Data Management Plans
Support
CLAAUDIA’s data management team is ready to assist you with • General support and guidance on DMP’s • Review and feedback on written DMP’s • Workshop on DMP’s. For all questions and requests please contact us through the AAU service portal.