Why manage your data?
If you are starting a new research project, then you will need to consider issues relating to the management of research data. Many of these issues will be relevant whether or not the research is funded by an external sponsor. By managing your data you will ensure:
- Funding and regulatory body requirements are met
- Research data remains accurate, authentic, reliable and complete.
- Duplication of effort is kept to a minimum
- Research data keeps its integrity and research results may be replicated.
- Data security is enhanced, thus minimising the risk of data loss
Funder policy
Most funders have some form of policy regarding managing research data, although the extent and detail of these vary greatly. Click here for summary guidance on funder policy from the University of Oxford's main research sponsors.
Links to further information and resources
- Research Data Explained is an interactive online training module from the MANTRA Project, giving an introduction to research data management.
- What is Data? (And Why You Should Care) is a brief introductory PowerPoint presentation from the PrePARe Project at the University of Cambridge.
Subject-specific guidance
- Creative Arts: Unit 1 of the CAiRO Project’s self-study materials provides a broad overview of managing creative arts research data.
- Social Sciences: The UK Data Archive advice pages provide an introduction to the Research Data Lifecycle, aimed at researchers working in the social sciences and some humanities disciplines.
- Health-Related Disciplines: Session 1 of the DATUM for Health teaching materials gives an overview of research data management (and why it’s important) and data management planning.
- Archaeology: Module 1 of the DataTrain Archaeology teaching materials offers an overview of creating and managing digital research data in this subject area. Module 8 covers data management on larger research projects.
- Social Anthropology: Module 1 of the DataTrain Social Anthropology teaching materials gives an introduction to data management aimed at pre-fieldwork doctoral students in this discipline.