- Research Development and Support Office

Research Data

Preserving_data_6Research Data Management

What types of data are you creating? Who owns the data? What volume of data do you currently have? Where are the data stored? How frequently are your data backed up? Who can access your data? How long do you need to maintain your data?

Research Data Management is organising and preserving research data so that it can be available for future use. Properly managed research data can be better shared among the wider research community, enhancing the long-term value of the work. This webpage has been designed as a central point of information about Research Data Management for researchers at the University of Bath. It utilises resources from other institutions, many of which are outputs from JISC funded projects.

For more information and guidance, contact research-data@bath.ac.uk.

This information should be read in conjunction with the University's Code of Good Practice in Research.

Preserving_data_3Creating Data

You should make plans for your data before you start to create and collect it (in fact many Funders are now asking you to do this as part of their application process). Planning at an early stage can help you make the right decisions about creating, storing and sharing your data. There are lots of resources out there to help you do this including a Data Plan Checklist and an Online Data Plan Tool
 
Preserving_data_1Organising Data
 
It is very easy for data to get disorganised quickly; to avoid this you (with your colleagues on the project) should agree a structure for naming and organising your files and folders. Having documentation of this structure (metadata – or data about your data) will help you, and others, to access, use and cite your data effectively in the long term.
Preserving_data_5Sharing Data
 
You need to think about who needs access to your data; is this just colleagues at your institution or will your collaborators need access? You may need to think about protecting sensitive data from unauthorised access. Data management plans can help to manage Freedom of Information Requests (FoI).  
Preserving_data_7Storing Data
 
Storage and backup are an essential part of any Data Management Plan; you want to be sure that your data remains safe and secure. 
Preserving_data_4Preserving Data
 
Equally important is thinking about which data you will keep and for how long; keeping everything for ever is not a viable long-term option. When the project is finished you need to consider depositing your data in a digital repository (again some Funders require this). The research councils are committed to the principle that publicly funded research should be publicly accessible, and should remain so; in addition to your data you can deposit the full-text of your publications.


Building capacity at the University of BathPreserving_data_2

In late 2011, the Research Data Management Steering Group applied for, and was awarded, funding to conduct an in depth review of research data at the university. This JISC funded project, entitled Research360, is developing a business case for and beginning to implement technical and human infrastructure to keep our researchers' data safe.

For further information:

Who to Contact
 
We now have a single point of contact for all research data related queries. Whether you need more research storage, help with a data management plan for a funding application, or simply advice on how to look after your research data, just email research-data@bath.ac.uk.