Adapt your DMP: Part 1

DMPactivities

The Data Management Plan (DMP) is an important tool to structure the research data management of your project. After working on each chapter you should be able to answer part of the questions which make up a DMP.

This is the first of seven 'Adapt your DMP' sections in this tour guide. When you have finished the chapter on data management planning, you can start filling in the 'Overview of your research project' section. Below you can see what elements and corresponding questions are generally included in that section. You can select appropriate questions and answer them to adapt your own DMP.

For easy reference, we have put together a list of DMP-questions for all chapters in this tour guide. You can view and download the checklist as pdf (CESSDA, 2019a) or editable form (CESSDA, 2019b), and keep them as a reference while you are studying the contents of this guide. Alternatively, an online DMP solution developed by NSD is available. To access login with EduGain or google account is necessary. Currently, two templates (H2020 and a general one) are offered.

What is the title of your project? Give a short description.

  • What is the date of this DMP version?
  • How do you discern between versions of your DMP?
  • What is the nature of the project?
  • What is the research question?
  • What is the project time timeline?
  • What kind of data will be used during the project?
  • If you are reusing existing data: What is the scope, volume and format? How are different data sources integrated?
  • If you are collecting new data can you clarify why this is necessary?

Principal researchers

  • Who are the main researchers involved?
  • What are their contact details?

Collaborating researchers (if applicable)

  • What are their contact details and their roles in the project?
  • If funding is granted, what is the reference number of the funding granted?
  • What is the project’s title in the funding contract?

Which organisation has the administrative responsibility for the data?

Who can be contacted about the project during and after it has finished?

  • Which organisation(s) own(s) the data?
  • If several organisations are involved, which organisation owns what data?
  • Who is responsible for updating the DMP and making sure that it’s followed?
  • Do project participants have any specific roles?
  • What is the project time line?
  • Are there costs you need to consider to buy specific software or hardware?
  • Are there costs you need to consider for storage and backup?
  • Are potential expenses and resources for (preparing the data for) archiving covered?
  • What resources will be dedicated to data management ensuring that data will be FAIR?

Examples of DMP questions and answers

For inspiration of filled in DMPs look at some example DMPs we have prepared. Both DMPs are based on a fictional research project with a basis in reality. For each topic of the DMP, there are example questions and answers where applicable. The examples are not country specific. Some of the information is generic.

QualGuideTransparant

Qualitative data

During this project, in-depth interviews with teachers in primary school will be held. The project has just started.
Click the link to view and download the DMP:

DMPQuestionsQualitativeData.pdf (165 KB)
QauntGuideTransparent

Quantitative data

The project concerns a survey which is conducted in order to identify how the evolution of society affects attitudes and behaviour. The project is still running.
Click the link to view and download the DMP:

DMPQuestionsQuantitativeData.pdf (205 KB)