1
The research data lifecycle
- Plan how data will be created and managed.
- Collect data responsibly.
- Document datasets and methodologies.
- Store information securely.
- Analyse data appropriately.
- Preserve valuable research data.
- Share data where ethically and legally appropriate.
2
Data management plans
A Data Management Plan describes how research data will be collected, documented, stored, protected, preserved and potentially shared.
- Types and formats of data.
- Storage requirements.
- Security arrangements.
- Access permissions.
- Backup procedures.
- Retention and preservation.
- Data-sharing considerations.
3
Research data security
- Use appropriate access controls.
- Maintain secure backups.
- Protect sensitive information.
- Avoid unnecessary storage of confidential information.
- Follow applicable institutional and legal requirements.
4
Data sharing and reproducibility
When ethically and legally possible, researchers should consider how data, metadata, code or documentation can be preserved to support verification and future scholarly use.
Worked example
A researcher conducting a survey of university students could create a data-management plan describing the questionnaire, anonymisation process, secure storage location, access permissions, retention period and conditions under which aggregated data may be shared.
Advantages
Protects valuable research data.
Improves reproducibility.
Supports collaboration.
Reduces risk of accidental data loss.
Improves research transparency.
Consequences of neglect
- Poor storage can result in permanent data loss.
- Inadequate security can expose sensitive information.
- Poor documentation can make datasets unusable.
- Failure to plan can make research outputs difficult to reproduce.
How the Library can help
- Data-management planning.
- Repository guidance.
- Metadata and documentation advice.
- Data preservation guidance.
- Research data security awareness.