Managing data

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Workshop presentation (YouTube, 41m)

"Research cannot flourish if data are not preserved and made accessible. All concerned must act accordingly" (Nature, 2009, para. 1).

Learning objectives

This module explores the strategies and issues that need to be considered for appropriate management of data throughout your research candidature. By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • consider research integrity and your responsibilities as a researcher at QUT under the provisions of the QUT Code for Responsible Conduct of Research
  • apply data management strategies to organise and store data proficiently, ethically and legally
  • commence your data management and primary materials plan.

Applying the content to your resource log

As you progress through this module, consider, and refer to the requirements of the resource log and apply your learning to each question.

Resource log

Managing data (15 marks)

  1. Describe your data. Include the format and scope of your research data [See Module 8.1].
  2. Outline your plans to securely store and back-up your data.
  3. Identify and discuss three types of contextual information (metadata) that help to make data F.A.I.R. [See Module 8.3 and Module 8.5].
    E.g. Types of metadata include descriptive, rights etc.
  4. Discuss the commercial, legal, and ethical considerations related to storing and sharing research data.
    E.g. documenting conditions such as: ownership, copyright, re-use licence conditions. Also, privacy and access control considerations.
  5. Identify how long your data is legally required to be retained after completion of your research project/thesis. Refer to the Data retention obligations and provide your reasoning as to how this applies to your research data. [See Module 8.6]