Managing Data
Learning outcomes:
After you complete this section you will be able to:
- identify the types of data and research materials you will be collecting
- be aware of policies and data protection that apply
- apply the top tips for best practice
If you are a postgraduate researcher you have access to a data management course via Blackboard. You are automatically registered for the course called PGR-DMP: Data Management Plans for Doctoral Students. This course is mandatory for all year 1 postgraduate research students starting October 2020. Further details can be found at https://library.soton.ac.uk/researchdata/phd
If you are a postgraduate taught student, please read on…
What is Research Data Management?
Research data management is the safe and effective care of information generated during the research process. Basic principles, such as file naming, version control and documenting data creation (or collection), will help you locate and understand your data. Research data management will help you collate data that underpins your work in a way that allows it to be used with confidence, both now and in the future.
The image below shows the full research data life cycle. You may only need to look at the planning and design, collecting and capture and collaborate and analyse sections of the cycle. However it is good for you to see the whole picture.
Research data life cycle image from https://www.jisc.ac.uk/guides/how-and-why-you-should-manage-your-research-data
The next section looks at managing your data and the different types of data.
