Research Data Management#

Prerequisites#

The following sections in this handbook provide useful context and complementary information to this chapter:

Prerequisite

Importance

Version Control

Helpful

Open Research

Helpful

Summary#

Research Data Management (RDM) [def] covers how research data can be stored, described and reused. Data here is used as a generic term to encompass all digital objects. RDM is a vital part of enabling reproducible research. RDM ensures efficiency in research workflows, and also greater reach and impact, as data become FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable). Data should be stored in multiple locations and backed-up regularly to prevent loss or data corruption. Clearly describing data using documentation and metadata ensures that others know how to access, use and reuse your data, and also enable conditions for sharing and publishing data to be outlined.

image of the data ecosystem with private and public data.

Fig. 40 Open and closed data for reproducibility. The Turing Way project illustration by Scriberia. Original version on Zenodo. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3695300.#

Motivation and Background#

A cartoon woman standing in front of a very messy closet. She is looking for data that she generated last year. Behind her a person is watching doubtfully, unsure whether she can find it in this mess.

Fig. 41 Research Data Management: making it possible to retreive data from last year. The Turing Way project illustration by Scriberia. Original version on Zenodo. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3695300.#