13  Plan for RDM

Estimated time: 120 minutes (includes assignment 4)

We will take a closer look at planning for RDM. In relation to this, data management plans and the tool DMPonline will be further explained. At the end of this module you should be able to:

• Recognise the relevance of planning research data management
• Get familiar with the concept of Data Management Plans and their format
• Create a data management plan using the appropriate tool
• Recognise the value of creating a Data Management Plan

Activities

• Watch the animation video to learn what a data management plan (DMP) is
• Watch the videos of a TU Delft researcher and a Faculty data steward to learn why they think it is relevant to prepare a DMP
• Create a DMP using DMPonline

13.1 What is a Data Management Plan (DMP)?

What exactly is a data management plan? Watch the video for an introduction to data management plans.

Script adapted from (Holmstrand et al. 2019).

13.2 Why create a Data Management Plan?

Why is it necessary to create a data management plan? Watch the following video in which a researcher and data steward talk about the importance of creating a data management plan.

• Natalia Romero Herrera talking about the benefits of writing a DMP
• Esther Plomp talking about the benefits of writing a DMP

The Turing Way project illustration by Scriberia. Used under a CC-BY 4.0 licence. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3332807.

See the next module for the assignment to create your DMP.

13.3 Software Management Plans (optional)

If you are working with computer code or developing software within your PhD project, merely sharing the code/software is insufficient to guarantee the reproducibility of research. You will need to think about the ways of sharing the code/software underpinning your research in a proper manner. A Software Management Plan helps to implement best practices during software development and ensures that software is accessible and reusable in the short and longer term. It also contributes to the reproducibility of results and stimulates collaborative work on open-source software for research.

Have a look at the Practical guide to Software Management Plans to get started with a Software Management Plan!

13.4 References

Holmstrand, K. F., S. P. A. den Boer, E. Vlachos, P. M. Martínez-Lavanchy, K. K. Hansen, A. V. Larsen, S. Zurcher, et al. 2019. “Research Data Management (eLearning Course).” https://doi.org/10.11581/DTU:00000047.