FIU Libraries: Research Data Management: Research Data Management 101

Research Data Management 101

Definitions of research data:

“Data are outputs of research and inputs to scholarly publications and inputs to subsequent sharing and learning” (Borgman, 2007)

“…Recorded factual material commonly accepted in the research community as necessary to validate research findings.” (OMB Circular A-110 36.d.2.i.)

Research data comes in many different forms and definitions of research data can vary based on the research community.

Examples of data include:

Images and Video
Mapping/GIS Data/Geodatabases
Numerical measurements
Survey responses
Focus group or interview transcripts
Economic indicators
Polls
Computer modeling
Simulations
Observations and/or field studies
Code or Software
DNA or Blood Samples
Physical Collections

Federal funding agencies also define data in different ways. Below are just a few examples of the varying definitions.

NIH defines data as “recorded factual material commonly accepted in the scientific community as of sufficient quality to validate and replicate research findings.” Source: NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing

NSF takes a flexible approach to defining research data, acknowledging that what constitutes data may vary by directorate, division, and program. Researchers should consult their program officers for specific guidance on data requirements for their field. Source: NSF Public Access Policy FAQ (NSF 18-041)

NEH defines data as “materials generated or collected during the course of conducting research.” Source: Data Management Plans for NEH Office of Digital Humanities Proposals and Awards.

Data management is the day-to-day management of data to support the collection, organization, sharing, preservation and reuse of project data.

The Research Data Management Lifecycle

Image source: From The Dataverse Project presentation at IDCC 2016 by Eleni Castro, Research Coordinator at IQSS, Harvard University. Research Life Cycle Workflow diagram adapted from UCI Libraries.

As data moves through your research lifecycle, consider:

How will you collect and organize your data?
How will you document your research data and methods?
What privacy and access requirements apply?
Where will you archive and share your data?

Funder Requirements

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 describes the administrative requirements for grants and proposals awarded to institutions of higher education, hospitals and other non-profit organizations. In 1999, Circular A-110 was revised to include a data sharing component under the provision of the Freedom of Information Act which requires grantees to provide access to research data funded by the federal government in a timely manner. See Public Access Policies for more detailed information about agency requirements.

Managing your data throughout the data lifecycle is important for three main reasons:

It ensures research data and records are accurate and complete making data understandable to people outside the project.
Data management and public access to data is a requirement of federal grant and funding bodies.
Journals and Publishers are also now requiring data to be publicly available.

Managing your data from the beginning of the research project will save you time and effort later on.

Also, you won't have to have this conversation:

Floor		Resources
One		Center for Academic Success: University Learning/Testing Center Electronic Classroom Broadcast Video Productions Resource for Education Technology UTS - Media Equipment Services Distance Learning Electronic Classroom Instructional Photography & Graphics
Two		Information & Research Services Curriculum & Juvenile Collection LACiC - Latin American and Caribbean Center Government Documents GIS-RS Center & Teaching Lab Maps & Imagery User Statistics
Three		Periodicals & Newspapers Laptop Lounge Honors College Student Resource Center College of Medicine Library Copiers Systems
Four		College of Medicine Special Collections & Archivese Academic Space Management School of Social Work Study Area
Five		Audiovisual Collection Diaz Ayala Collection Architecture and Fine Arts (General Collection and Periodical Section N) Music (General Collection and Periodical Section M) Music Listening Room Music CAI Center Spanish Resource Center Group Study Rooms
Six		Quiet Study Space Group Study Rooms General Collection HJ-L & P-Z Oversized Books
Seven		General Collection A-HG Quiet Study Floor Group Study Rooms
Eight		Library Administration Collection Management Digital Collections Center

Floor		Resources
One		Circulation Course Reserves Intercampus/Interlibrary Loan Information and Research Services Center for Excellence in Writing Communication Arts Studio Computer Labs/Copiers
Two		Microforms Periodicals Juvenile Collection Oversize Collection Video Collection Government Documents Reference Workroom Reference Collection Copiers
Three		General Collection, A-Z Library Administration

Research Data Management

Research Data Management 101

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