Data Management Plan

A data management plan (DMP) is an important document that outlines how data will be collected, stored, managed, shared, and preserved throughout the research process. The primary purpose of DMPs is to ensure that research data is managed effectively and can be shared and reused in accordance with possible ethical and legal requirements. These plans are becoming increasingly important for researchers, as research funders and journals are increasingly requiring them to ensure data quality, transparency, and accessibility.

There are several benefits for researchers in creating and implementing a DMP. Firstly, it can help researchers organize their data in a way that facilitates analysis, interpretation, and reuse. By planning in advance how data will be collected, stored, and documented, researchers can avoid data loss, data corruption, or inefficiency, helping to prevent costly mistakes or delays in the research process.

Secondly, a DMP can improve the quality and transparency of research by providing a clear framework for data management that aligns with best practices in the field. This can help researchers enhance reproducibility and facilitate data sharing and reuse.

What should it contain?

A good data management plan should be able to answer the following questions:

  • Are the data subject to any ethical or legal restrictions (including GDPR)?
  • Where will you store the data?
  • Do you regularly and securely back up the data?
  • What file formats will the data be stored in? Are there international or national (discipline-specific) standards that can be followed?
  • Who is responsible for the storage, backup, and security of the collected data?
  • What measures have you taken to prevent unauthorized access to the data?