Planning for data management is important in order to be able to share and reuse data as openly as possible and in accordance with the FAIR principles.
Mapping
At the start of the project, review and consider the following:
- What types of data you will collect.
- If you use data from existing sources, refer to the pages for data reuse.
-
How openly or restrictively will the data be stored, both during and after the project?
- How openly can the data be shared and archived at the end of the project.
- What file formats and sizes will be collected.
- How will the data be organised (i.e., folder structure and file names).
- What type of documentation must be written during the process, and how will data quality be maintained.
Some types of research data require consultation or approval before collection.
-
Results covered by the UiO rights policy must be assessed separately.
Evaluation of storage solutions and access management
The size of the dataset, both in terms of overall file size and number of files, affects the choice of storage solution and how the data should be organized and documented during the project. It can also affect the workflow in terms of quality assurance, file transfer, access management and analysis.
Based on the analysis plan, data size, project complexity, and other factors (e.g., planned fieldwork), assess whether there is a need for equipment, additional storage space, software, or other resources that you currently do not have access to. Refer to the IT department's storage guide or contact contact IT support for advice and guidance.
If others besides yourself need access to the data during or after the project, carefully consider who should have access to what and how they can gain access. This is particularly important when the data contain sensitive or classified information.
See also: Research security in international collaborations.
Division of responsibilities
During the planning phase, you should also describe roles and the division of responsibilities for data management within the project or research group.
- The Project Leader of a research project has the overall responsibility for handling the research data.
- A Data Steward can be delegated by the project leader with the responsibility for overseeing data management and establishing good handling routines.
- Project Members are responsible for familiarizing themselves with and following guidelines for handling research data.
- In collaborative projects, the institution with coordinating responsibility holds the overall responsibility for the data. This responsibility can be delegated to other institutions if the data is to be stored and used at one of the other institutions. An agreement outlining this should be made at the start of the project. The project leader is responsible for ensuring that the agreement is followed up at other institutions where the data is collected and managed, including across institutions and national borders.
-
See also: Information security for researchers.
Costs
The following considerations related to costs and budgeting are important to include in the planning.
- If dedicated resources are to be allocated for data management/data steward, this must be included in the budget.
- Projects can purchase services from the IT department to develop tools or software. See the IT department's price list for such tasks.
- Data from existing sources may also incur costs related to access and use.
- On the IT department's website, you will find an overview of costs associated with secure storage during the project.
- For information on other services, see the overview of all IT services (service catalog).
Data management plan
The University of Oslo (UiO) expects you to plan for the management of research data and to use data management plans where it is required. Learn more about what a data management plan is, what it can include, and how the plan can be evaluated.
Funders' requirements for data management plans
Funders require data management plans where you describe how you will handle data during the course of a project so that it can be archived and shared openly or with restrictions at the end of the project.
Courses and Guidance
The University Library offers courses in research data management, including the creation of data management plans.
For guidance, check if your unit has individuals who have this as a dedicated responsibility. If not, contact research-data@uio.no.
External resources:
- Roles in the RDM-kit from ELIXIR Michener WK (2015)
- Ten Simple Rules for Creating a Good Data Management Plan. PLoS Comput Biol 11(10): e1004525. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004525
- DHP Support Package Project