• 3.2. Data management plans

    As you have learned from the previous modules, research data management has numerous benefits for you as a researcher as well as others who use your research data. Find out how you can benefit even more as a researcher by developing a data management plan. 

    By the end of this module, you will be able to:

    • Understand the added value of making data management plans in research projects.
    • Identify challenges in projects related to research data management.
    • Identify stakeholders who require a DMP and know how to start making a DMP, including what topics to cover.

    The video material has been imported from Holmstrand, K.F., den Boer, S.P.A., Vlachos, E., Martínez-Lavanchy, P.M., Hansen, K.K. (Eds.) (2019). Research Data Management (e-Learning course). doi:10.11581/dtu:00000047


    Watch this introductory video from the eLearning course in Research Data Management brought by the Danish National Forum for Data Management (21 min).

    • Learning activities:
    • Activity 1. Quiz
      After watching the video, check your knowledge of data management plans by doing a quiz. Read the statements and select the correct answer(s).


    • Activity 2. Storing your research data Page
      In the planning phase, you should ensure appropriate and secure storage solutions for your data. Find your institution’s policy on research data storage. If you can’t find any relevant documents, reflect on these questions: 

      • Where can you store your data?
      • Is the data frequently and safely backed up?
      • Who is responsible for storage, back-up and security of your data?
      • How do you prevent unauthorised access to your data, if relevant?


    • Learning resources:

    • Data management planning tools Page

      A data management plan or DMP is a formal document that outlines how data is to be handled both during a research project, and after the project is completed. There are different tools to help researchers develop a data management plan, such as:

      • DMPonline. It’s a free tool that helps to write, share and export a data management plan. It offers built-in data management plan templates for many major funders. The tool is provided by the Digital Curation Centre (DCC).  https://dmponline.dcc.ac.uk  
      • ARGOS. This is a joint effort of OpenAIRE and EUDAT, offering a free service for creating and publishing data management plans. 
      • Data Stewardship Wizard. This is a joint ELIXIR CZ and ELIXIR NL initiative, helping researchers to build their own data management plans.  

      If you are interested in seeing examples of filled in data management plans, you may want to check out the following resources: 

      • Data management plans created using the DMPonline tool and shared publicly by their owners. 
      • You can find additional resources, including more examples of filled in DMPs, checklists and guidance on the website of the Digital Curation Centre (DCC). 
      • Examples of filled in DMPs and a checklist with DMP related questions for additional guidance can be found in the CESSDA Data Management Expert Guide.

◄3.1. FAIR principlesCompletion ►