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“Research data are the evidence that underpins the answer to the research question, and can be used to validate findings regardless of its form (e.g. print, digital, or physical). ”
What am I trying to achieve?
Good data management practices are essential in research, to make sure that research data are of high quality, are well organised, documented, preserved and accessible and their validity controlled at all times.
Well-managed data are easily shared and can thus be used for new research or to duplicate and validate existing research.
Research Data Management (RDM) needs to be planned early in a project (or beforehand), so that practices can be implemented throughout the research cycle.
This text and graphic has been adapted from the UK Data Service's training materials for 'Preparing and Managing Data'. The UK Data Service is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to meet the data needs of researchers, students and teachers from all sectors.
See also: A Guide to Research Data Management (2021), from the British Library - a concise overview of core principles for beginners, with key terms explained in plain English.
What counts as 'data'?
RDM is not just for scientists! Research 'data' (or 'material') comes in many forms. For instance:
| Diaries | Audio recordings and transcripts | Lab/field notebooks |
| Search histories | Photographs and videos | Source code |
| Bibliographies | Survey responses | Specimens and samples |
| Quotations | Test results | Models |
Who owns my data?
A series of highly readable pdf guides originating from CREATe, the UK Copyright and Creative Economy Centre at the University of Glasgow:
- Introduction to Ownership of Rights in Research Data (2018)
- Making Research Data Available (2018)
- Choosing a Licence for Research Data (2018)
See also How To Licence Research Data, from Edinburgh's Digital Curation Centre (2014), for a comprehensive overview of suitable licence types for datasets.
Open Data
Open access to the data underlying research findings is an essential component of Open Research: "the idea that... knowledge of all kinds should be openly shared as early as it is practical in the discovery process”. (Michael Nielsen, one of the leading advocates of the Open Research movement).
Open access to research data demonstrates academic integrity, supports reproducibility, increases opportunities for impact, and contributes to knowledge exchange.
Even sensitive data which cannot be shared openly can be managed according to Open Research principles: register your study, make a public statement about the content and utility of your data, and invite requests for private sharing under specified terms.
In 2016, an international collective of researchers published the FAIR Principles for data management: acknowledging that the dissemination of STEM data is usually computer-driven, datasets must be Findable, Accessible, Inter-operable and Re-usable
.The international GO FAIR initiative works to implement these principles with stakeholders at all levels, with funding from several European ministries of science.
Key contacts at the University of Hull
Planning for the preservation and dissemination of your data in line with research funder/publisher terms:
- rdm@hull.ac.uk (Kirstyn Radford, Research Outputs Specialist, Brynmor Jones Library)
Data protection, research integrity and ethics (Sharepoint sites for University of Hull researchers):
- Information Compliance - Data Protection Officer
- Research Governance and Impact Team
- Your Faculty Ethics Committee can advise on any data protection issues identified during the process of gaining approval for a new project.
Data ownership, licensing and knowledge exchange:
- Knowledge Exchange Hub for University of Hull researchers
- Research and Knowledge Exchange Contracts Support Team
- Trusted Research checklist for University of Hull researchers working with partners overseas or in industry
Data handling, including secure file storage, software installation and use of the University's High Performance Computer (VIPER) for processing high volumes of research data with low levels of sensitivity:
Hull Health Trials Unit provides specialist support for clinical research, including mediated access to NHS data, and services to facilitate storage and processing of sensitive data, such as the Data Safe Haven:
