Data Management and Sharing

In a research setting, data management describes all activities surrounding data throughout the data lifecycle as it is created, analyzed, stored, shared, and reused.

Good data management ensures that data is

• organized
• well-documented
• stored for future accessibility

for both you as the researcher and for the broader research community.

There are many benefits from managing your data, for others and for YOU.  It ensures:

• you can find and understand files when needed
• all researchers follow the same conventions>
• data conventions are adapted by new researchers and collaborators
• compliance with funder and journal requirements
• you have  thought through storage and recovery options with regards to  file loss or corruption, theft, or a cybersecurity breach, all of which can and do occur

Data management may include data sharing plans, especially when you need to comply with external requirements.  Even if you have no external mandate, sharing your data

• increases the visibility of your research
• generates citations specific to your data set
• opens the door to new and maybe unanticipated discoveries using your data
• can spark a collaboration
• maximizes transparency in the research process
• provides research opportunities to wider audiences, including those with limited funding

Your research data has a lifespan beyond your projects and publications.

The research data lifecycle depicts this flow, planning how data will be handled throughout collection, analysis, storage, and sharing so that it can be discovered and reused by others.

Research data is valuable and foundational to scientific discovery.  Shared scientific data allows other researchers to unearth new findings. Good data management practices  ensure that your data is meaningful tomorrow, next month and 10 years from now