Planning

Data management planning involves defining a strategy for how your research data will be managed during the course of a project and thereafter. Data management plans ensure that your data will be properly organized, documented, and available to researchers for future use. They are also required by many funding agencies as part of the grant proposal process.

Your data management plan should include the following:

• Type, format, and quantity of data to be collected
• Tools and software needed to access and manipulate the data
• Standards and protocols that will be used to organize and describe the data
• When, where, and for how long the data will be made available to researchers
• Any factors impacting access, distribution, or reuse of the data
• Responsibility for monitoring compliance with the plan  

Considerations

• Review relevant funder, publisher, and institutional policies regarding data management
• Determine what types of data will be acquired or generated over the course of the project
• Assign roles within your research team for organizing and managing the data
• Create a data management plan using DMP Tool
• Consult with the Office for Research for assistance in developing and submitting a grant proposal
• Consult with a librarian about how to create a data management plan

Resources

• DMP Tool ​
  Online tool to help researchers create data management and sharing plans that comply with funder requirements and professional best practices.
   
• Open Policy Finder ​
  Searchable database of open access and data sharing policies by publisher, journal, or funding agency.​
   
• Public Access Plans and Guidance ​
  Directory of public access plans and policies by U.S. federal agency.​
   
• Checklist for a Data Management Plan ​
  Questions to consider when writing a data management plan.​
   
• Writing a Data Management and Sharing Plan ​
  NIH instructions for writing and submitting a data management plan, including sample plans.​
   
• NIH Sample Data Management Plans
  Sample plans offered by the NIH showcasing examples of data management planning in different contexts.
   
• Public Data Management Plans from the DMP Tool
  Plans created using DMP Tool that have been shared publicly by their owners and are filterable by funder, institution, or subject.
   
• Rutgers Office for Research
  Resources and services to help researchers develop grant proposals, find funding, manage sponsored awards, and comply with legal, institutional, and funder requirements.