Alexandra Cooper
Data Services Coordinator
Meghan Goodchild
Research Data Management Librarian
Research data are primary source materials supporting your research and can be used as evidence to validate your findings and results.
With the accelerating pace at which information can be generated and shared in today's networked society, researchers face new considerations, opportunities, and risks when working with data. Research data is a significant asset generated during the course of research and has the potential to benefit other researchers if managed appropriately. Some research data requires added layers of security to ensure its safe keeping.
Research data management, or RDM, refers to the processes applied throughout the lifecycle of a research project to guide the collection, documentation, storage, sharing, and preservation of research data.
Research Data Lifecycle: The activities and types of data collected in a research project are not always predictable or homogenous. However, it's beneficial during the planning phase to anticipate the collection, processing, analysis, storage, sharing, and dissemination activities that may be involved.
The Portage National Training Expert Group has created a Primer: Research Data Management and a Brief Guide: Research Data Management that provide an overview of RDM.
Managing your research data will help you: