
Writing a data management plan: Data Management Plans
This unit introduces you to the concept of data management and data management plans. After completing this unit you will:
- Understand the general rules of appropriate data management in accordance with responsible conduct of research.
- Be aware of good practice in managing research data in general and apply it within your own work context.
- Use the information featured in the unit to draw up a data management plan and maintain it through the course of your research.
Activity
Read the scenario below and the questions which follow. What do you think you might do in such a case? Record your thoughts and review them after you have completed this unit.
Scenario
You have completed your postgraduate study with flying colours and published a couple of papers to disseminate your research results. Your papers have been cited widely in the research literature by others who have built upon your findings. However, three years later a researcher has accused you of having falsified the data.
- Do you think you would be able to prove that you had done the work as described? If so, how?
- What would you need to prove that you haven't falsified the data?
- What should you have done throughout your research study to be able to prove now that you had done the work as described?