Research Data Management

Data Management Plans

A data management plan (DMP) is a document outlining how you will organize, store and share your research data. It addresses each phase of the Data Management lifecycle. It is ideally written at the beginning of a project, and may be mandated by funders as part of the application process. However, it is a living document that should be revised as necessary. You can find a short video overview (approx. 4.5 minutes) of what DMPs are all about, from the Illuminating Research Data Management webinar series, here.

DMP Assistant is a free, web-based, bilingual tool developed for Canadian researchers. It is maintained by the University of Alberta and The Digital Research Alliance of Canada. You can find a short video overview (approx. 4 minutes) of DMP Assistant, also from the Illuminating RDM webinar series, here.

DMP Tool can be used in place of DMP Assistant if applying for international grants - it has templates for a variety of funders.

The Digital Research Alliance of Canada and the Canadian RDM Network of Experts have produced a video series on DMPs and using DMP Assistant. They have also developed several DMP exemplars and templates that can be used to guide your DMP development. (Note that these exemplars and templates do not cover all disciplines.)

For assistance with any aspect of completing a DMP, please e-mail research.data@ucalgary.libanswers.com.

Metadata

An important part of data management planning is developing metadata that will assist others with discovering and using your data.

Metadata is "data about data." It includes things like keywords related to the subject matter of your data, information on filetypes and software, and any other relevant information that will help users find and use your data. You can find a short video overview (approx. 2 minutes) on metadata here.

Librarians are experts in metadata, and we can advise on this aspect of data management planning. To learn about metadata vocabularies in your discipline, contact your subject librarian, or consult this list of discipline-specific metadata standards from the Digital Curation Centre.