A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a formal document that states what you will do with the data collected during your research and what will be done with it after your research project has ended. As you begin to collect new data, or combine existing data, you also begin to identify potential users and the following should be addressed:
A DMP addresses the types of data that will be produced and how they will be described. As a researcher, while you outline the naming of data sets you should:
A DMP guides you as you determine what format, file, size and classification will be used. Good data management requires that:
Tools for Managing Data:
Citing Data:
Researchers also determine the data about the data sets (metadata). These sites offer metadata instruction:
Follow the 3-2-1 rule for storing backups, keep at least 3 copies in at least 2 different types of media, with at least 1 storage point being offsite. Other rules to follow:
Some major agencies and organizations have specific DMP guidelines. Check out any of this selection:
Look at some sample DMPs here:
▶ Ten Simple Rules for Creating a Good Data Management Plan: HTML | PDF
▶ 23 Things: Libraries for Research Data, by the Research Data Alliance
▶ Guidance Regarding Methods for De-identification of Protected Health Information in Accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: HTML | PDF
▶ Digital Humanities Data Curation (DHDC) for Humanities Research Data Management
▶ ICPSR Guide to Social Science Data Prepping and Archiving: PDF
Report dead or outdated links to STEM Reference Librarian.