Research Data Services at USU Libraries: Data management plans

A data management plan (DMP, or increasingly, data management and sharing plan, DMSP) describes how research data will be generated, described, stored, and made accessible. DMPs are often required as part of grant proposals. Even if it is not specifically required by your funders, writing a data management plan is a good practice to ensure that you have the systems and processes in place to properly handle your research data before your project is underway. Data management plans can be instrumental in helping USU researchers comply with the expectations outlined in University Policy 4107: Research Data.

Most agencies ask for some common elements about data, such as type, format, and amount of data; how it will be described, organized, stored, backed up, archived and made publicly accessible; who will be responsible for taking care of the data; what costs are associated with the management of the data; and are any issues anticipated regarding the reuse of data.

DMP Tool (dmptool.org) provides a guided writing environment to help researchers create data management plans (DMPs). It includes ready-to-use templates and specific guidance on the requirements of most Federal and major private funding entities. Login is via USU's SSO, using your A# and strong password.

General

• DMPTool has an extensive archive of templates and guideline links. Note that some items may be outdated: https://dmptool.org/public_templates

NSF

• Official web page: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/data-management-plan

USDA

• Official web page: https://www.nal.usda.gov/services/data-management-planning
  • The USDA's National Agricultural Library also offers DMP review services here

NIH

• Official website: https://grants.nih.gov/policy-and-compliance/policy-topics/sharing-policies/dms/writing-dms-plan
• As NIH's policies have become increasingly convoluted, my colleague Lena Bohman at Hofstra has created a detailed guide which she updates conscientiously: https://libguides.hofstra.edu/nihdata
  • Note link to "Applicable activity codes" PDF
• Working Group on NIH DMSP Guidance https://osf.io/uadxr/
• NNLM Toolkit for NIH https://www.nnlm.gov/guides/nnlm-toolkit-nih-data-management-and-sharing-policy

USGS

• https://www.usgs.gov/data-management/data-management-plans

A well written data management plan will clearly explain how data will be handled throughout the research project. Commonly used headings include:

• Roles and responsibilities:  Who is responsible for the data and who will make sure the DMP is followed?
• Types of data produced:  What file formats will data be in?  How much data will be produced? Number and size of files?  Where will data be stored during active phase of project?  
• Organization and description of data:  How will data be processed and organized?  How will it be described so others can use it?
• Data access and sharing: How will data be shared?  Will it be embargoed?  Is there sensitive data?  If so, how will it be handled? Does data need special software? Equipment? 
• Data re-use: Who may re-use data?  How should others re-use data?  What credit should be given for data re-use? 
• Archiving and preservation:  Which data from your project should be preserved and for how long?  Where will it be archived?  How will data be described (metadata)?

NEH (20111-2014)

Sample NSF Data Management Plans from UC San Diego

Sample NOAA Data Management Plans

Public Plans on DMPTool.org