This section of the guide provides an overview of the basic concepts, procedures, and vocabulary involved in data management and the development of data management plans (DMP). It can be used as both an introduction to the topic as well as a reference source for those developing a data management plan.
The goal of a data management plan (DMP) is to demonstrate that you have an organized, effective, and well thought-out system to manage your data throughout the research process.
This means going beyond taking care of the data during the collection and analysis phases; your DMP must also address your plans for the data after the research is complete.
In fact, the primary focus of most federal data management plans is on data sharing and data preservation not the details of managing data during research. This is because you cannot share or preserve data unless it has been well managed.
This guide was developed as a resource to introduce scholars and researchers of all experience levels to the basic concepts of data management and to serve as a tool to help researchers write data management plans that accompany grant proposals.
ISU Librarian Megan O'Donnell authored most of the content on this guide and is responsible for periodically updating the content. If you have a question, suggestion, or would like to report an error, please email Megan.
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