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Research Data Management: Introduction

What is Research Data?

  • Anything which helps you formulate or reach your research conclusion is research data. Essentially, it is the evidence or “stuff” collected during your research project that can support and validate the findings of your research.

  • It can be qualitative data, or quantitative data, or both. It can be generated through a variety of research instruments. These data can be quantitative or qualitative, digital or physical, and can be collected through a range of methods or derived from existing sources. Examples of research data include the following: statistics, tables, charts, images/photographs, audio/video recordings, survey results, interview transcripts, translations, reflective diaries etc. If it supports the research conclusion, it is research data.
  • Research data has a lifecycle - essentially everything that a researcher might do with their data. Research data management (RDM) covers the entire data lifecycle: collection, storage, curation, publication, archiving and disposal of that data.
  • Good data management is fundamental to the research process. It is a dynamic process that must be carefully considered throughout the course of a research project, from the planning stage through to final publication of results.

The Library's Open Research Team can provide support and guidance on:

Sensitive Data, Funder requirements, Data Management Plans, Copyright, Uploading your Datasets to Pure & Storage Options for your Data.

Email: rdm@qub.ac.uk

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A quick introduction to some of the most salient elements of RDM that a researcher needs to know:

  • To help plan your project and manage your research data effectively, it is advised that you create a Data Management Plan. Often, a plan or DMP which be required as part of a funding application bid. To assist you with writing a plan, please refer to this resource and use DMPOnline.
  • UKRI funded authors are required to include a Data Access statement in published articles. Examples of such statements can be found here.
  • It is essential that you adhere to funder regulations regarding the sharing of your research data. Some funders name repositories where data must be shared. Some funders also insist on a timeframe for this sharing. Please check the Open Data Funder Mandates Toolkit for further information.
  • If you do not have a funder requirement to share your data in a specific repository, please check re3data for where is the most appropriate repository for your data. You can also share via Pure. Sharing your data will require the right documentation, file formats and instructions so that others are able to use and reuse your data. Data will also be issued with a DOI in the repository where you share it.
  • For human-participant data, it is essential that you have informed consent to share data at the end e.g. quotes from interviews, survey results and tabular data, and transcriptions of interviews or focus groups, as well as any recordings you may share. Please ensure your consent forms accurately reflect the consent needed to share any of this content.
  • Contact Dr. Michael O'Connor, Research Data Librarian if you have questions on any of these things.

Benefits of RDM

Introduction to RDM

Watch this video to discover about the basics of Research Data Management and how to apply this when creating or reviewing a Data Management Plan (DMP). This video discusses data formats and metadata standards, persistent identifiers, licensing, controlled vocabularies and data repositories.

The presentation slides available here.

Research Data Management Essentials

Queen's Research Data Management Policy

The University has a Research Data Management Policy (see below) which applies to all researchers, including postgraduate research students. Anyone undertaking or supporting research at Queen’s should ensure that they are familiar with the Policy and the supporting guidance. In summary, the Policy states that:

  • Research data generated and held by the University are key assets that must be managed correctly.
  • The University seeks to promote the highest standards in the management of research data.
  • The University supports the principle of open research data, where legally, ethically and commercially appropriate.
  • Where required by funder, research data that has been selected for retention must be offered for deposit and preservation in an appropriate repository.
  • Papers should include a short data access statement outlining how and on what terms the data underpinning the findings outlined in that paper may be accessed.
  • Research data should be retained for as long as of value to the researcher and the wider research community (minimum five years OR as specified by funder).