Research Data Management: Data Management Plans
At a Glance
A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a document outlining how data will be managed within the research project and beyond. It can include information on:
- Data description and collection or re-use of existing data
- Documentation and data quality
- Storage and backup during the research process
- Legal and ethical requirements, codes of conduct
- Data sharing and long-term preservation
- Data management responsibilities and resources
Help@UCD: DMP Reviews
UCD Library’s Data Manager is available to provide a one-to-one review of your Data Management Plan, as well as tailored discipline-specific or funder-specific workshops to post graduates, academics and research managers & administrators.
If you would like feedback on your DMP from UCD Library’s Data Manager, simply complete the checklist available through DMPonline and select the ‘request feedback’ function.
Data Management Plans
A data management plan (DMP) is "a formal statement describing how research data will be managed and documented throughout a research project and the terms regarding the subsequent deposit of the data with a data repository for long-term management and preservation."
Some funders specify a particular template for their data management plans, however if one is not provided UCD Library has developed a Data Management Checklist to help researchers get started. The subsequent sections of this LibGuide are designed to help researchers complete relevant sections of a DMP.
Data Management Plans are designed to be working documents and should be updated as the project proceeds or if there are any significant changes to the initial project plan.
Sample DMPs
- Digital Curation Centre (DCC) Example DMPs and GuidanceLots of guidance and examples are available to help with data plans. A summary of example plans organised by UK research funders is provided by the DCC. Some evaluation cribsheets, overseas examples and general guidelines are also referenced.
- DMPOnline Public DMPsPublic DMPs are plans created using the DMPonline service and shared publicly by their owners. They are not vetted for quality, completeness, or adherence to funder guidelines.
- LIBER Data Management Plan CatalogueThe Data Management Plan (DMP) Catalogue of the LIBER Research Data Management Working Group provides a central hub for DMPs from different disciplines together with quality reviews of the DMPs.
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