Conduct a data management needs assessment and develop a data management plan (DMP)
- Anticipate the data management needs you will face
- Understand the resources and services available to you
- Know and adhere to your data management, access, and ethical obligations
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Speak to the Laurier Data Librarian for conducting needs assessments and DMPs
Document your data
- Use metadata to record information during all parts of the research lifecycle
- Information includes title, creator, methodology, creator, funders, data, and file structure
- Speak to the Laurier Data Librarian for advice on documenting your data
- Use metadata standards common and appropriate to your discipline
- Create a data register which summarizes what you are collecting, its formats, owners, location, and access rights
- Create a data dictionary before your collect your data
Organize your files and use open standads
- Maintain a consistent directory structure
- Use descriptive naming conventions to help identify files
- Enable versioning to protect files
- Use open file formats:
- Use .txt files and not .doc or .docx files
- Use .csv files and nor .xls files
- Use .tiff files and not .jpg files
- Use PDF or PDF/A and not .azw files
For more information on incorporating sound data management practice into your research, contact Michael Steeleworthy, the Laurier Library’s Data Librarian.