Introduction to Data Management
This guide will introduce you to data management best practices and tools. Topics covered include:
Why Data Management?
Managing your research data ensures that it will be accessible and usable over time.
Data management addresses the entire lifecycle of your data--from creation to organization, accessibility, archiving and distribution.
Managing your data is a key step to avoiding plagiarism and false claims, and to not losing your information. Proof of a data management plan may be required by your professor or a grant funding agency, and it's always a good idea for your own personal interest.
Get started by checking out the Best Practices Primer from DataOne.
What is Data?
Think data is only for scientists? Think again. The product of any research project can be viewed as data. And if you lose the foundational components of your research, you can no longer back up your claims or do additional work in the future. Here are some examples of formats your data may take:
- images
- video
- audio
- paper-based notes
- databases
- statistical data
- Word docs
- Excel docs
