Funding agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation now require that data management plans (DMPs) or data management and sharing plans (DMSPs) be submitted along with grant proposals. We expect that other agencies will follow suit.
What is a data management plan (DMP) or data management and sharing plan (DMSP)?
A DMP or DMSP documents what a researcher or group will do with the data collected in the course of their project, and upon completion of their research.
What should be included in a DMP or DMSP?
Specifics vary by discipline, but some common considerations for drafting a plan include:
What is the difference between a data management plan (DMP) and a data management and sharing plan (DMSP)?
Different funders may refer to these plans as either DMPs or DMSPs, but the difference is largely semantic. While funders vary a bit in their requirements, the major components of these plans are largely the same. As of summer 2023, funders are beginning to move towards common language, referring to all plans as DMSPs.
The recorded webinar below describes data management plans in less than 20 minutes. Just click on the image below and log in to open up the webinar in a new tab. For questions, comments, and any accessibility or captioning requests, please email me.
Note: The webinar is available to Northeastern affiliates only. If you wish to view the webinars and are not a Northeastern affiliate, please get in touch.
What is this data management plan thing, anyways?
If you’ll be working on a grant proposal, chances are you’ll have to write a data management plan (DMP). This session gives insight into what funders are looking for in DMPs, and walks (well, sprints) through the typical components of a DMP, including some examples from successfully funded proposals.
DMPTool is an easy to use, browser-based resource that helps demystify the process of drafting data management plans. I particularly recommend it for those new to writing data management plans.
DMPTool gives step-by-step instructions and guidance for building a DMP and allows you to:
→ Create ready-to-use DMPs for specific grant-funding agencies including the NIH, National Endowment for the Humanities Office of Digital Humanities, and more than a dozen NSF directorates
→ Satisfy funder requirements for DMPs, including those that require machine readable or machine actionable DMPs
DMPTool also provides a convenient starting point for DMP writers, because resources such as funding agency guidelines, advice for principal investigators, and even sample DMPs are available on the site.
Ready to get started? Visit the DMPTool site and create an account with your Northeastern email address to start building your own plan.
This short video highlights features of DMPTool 2.
Data management plans often ask researchers to include information about the system that will be used to store and share data at the end of a project. The Northeastern University Library has provided the following text describing the Digital Repository Service for researchers to use in their proposals:
Suggested text for Northeastern's Digital Repository Service:
Northeastern University (NU) Library’s Digital Repository Service (NU-DRS, https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/) is a long-term digital asset management system developed and maintained by the Northeastern University Library. The NU-DRS provides the following services: 1) deposition of all file types, many of which are natively supported by the system, 2) provisioning and maintenance of a permanent identifier and URL for both the project space and individual data files via the library’s handle server, 3) discovery, access and editorial control using the Shibboleth single sign-on identity management framework, and 4) data storage and backup services, provided jointly by the library and university information systems. The Research Data Management librarian and Digital Production Services staff will work with project staff to determine appropriate metadata models and deposition schedules. Project staff will ensure all relevant files are submitted either to available community resources or to Northeastern's repository system.
Data management standards generally address how data should be collected, measured, recorded, or formatted. Using standards can save time and reduce common errors. Standards also enable interoperability, allowing better data discovery and reuse. You should include information on the standards that you will use in a DMP, as using data standards will strengthen the data's value.
Examples of standards:
Standards for metadata:
Registries of standards:
If there are no established standards for your area of research, address how will you facilitate access and reuse of the data and metadata.
Resource: Recommended Formats Statement – Datasets | Resources (Preservation, Library of Congress
Lists technical characteristics of and metadata for datasets that best support the preservation of and long-term access to these creative works. Identifies the formats the Library of Congress prefers or finds acceptable.
Data sharing requirements by federal agency- Information on current and planned future data sharing policies for U.S. federal funding agencies. From SPARC/Johns Hopkins University Libraries.
Funder requirements and sample plans - Includes templates, sample DMPs and links to specific National Science Foundation directorate requirements.
Data management plan information from ICPSR - DMP elements, policies & guidance, and a sample plan for depositing data with ICPSR.
Generalist repository comparison chart - This chart may help you decide which generalist repository is the best fit for your research outputs.
A summary of a research article that appears at the beginning of the document. Reading the abstract may help you decide if you want to read the full article.
A note, comment, or explanation. Can be added to citations to create annotated bibliographies.
A geographic information system (GIS) software developed by Esri. ArcGIS enables you to analyze, visualize, and interpret spatial data for better decision-making.
Written content on a narrow subject and published in a periodical or website. In some contexts, academics may use article as a shortened form of journal article.
A detailed list of resources cited in an article, book, or other publication. Also called a List of References.
A group of libraries in New England that work together to share resources with students, faculty, and staff of member libraries. Northeastern University is a member of this group. Requesting a consortium library card is free to Northeastern students.
A free library available to people who work, live or attend school in Massachusetts. Boston Public Library's collection includes physical and digital access to books, journals, and films.
A label of letters and/or numbers that tell you where the resource can be found in the library. Call numbers are displayed on print books and physical resources and correspond with a topic or subject area.
A list of all the items in a library's physical collection. Modern catalogs are searchable databases. Catalogs include information about the item's:
Also called a catalogue, OPAC. Historically a card catalog.
Software that can help you collect, organize, and cite sources. The library provides training on five specific citation managers: BibTeX, EndNote, Mendeley, RefWorks, and Zotero. Also called citation management software, citation management tool or reference manager.
Physical materials assigned by an instructor and held at the library. These materials are generally restricted to in-building use for a limited period. At faculty discretion, some materials may be checked out overnight or for a few days.
A searchable collection of similar items. Library databases include resources for research. Examples include: a newspaper database, such as Access World News, or a humanities scholarly journal database, such as JSTOR.
A searchable online storage space for video files, images, and documents. Specialized digital repositories collect materials related to a theme or institution.
Northeastern University Library manages the Digital Repository Service (DRS). The DRS collects digital material related to Northeastern University's history and academic work.
The conversion of print or analog material to a digital format. Examples of digitization include:
A paper written to fulfill requirements for a degree containing original research on a narrow topic. Also called a thesis.
A unique number assigned to some digital content. DOIs do not change even if the online location or ownership of the resource changes.
A digital version of a thesis or dissertation produced by a master's or Ph.D. student. Most theses and dissertations written by Northeastern University students are ETDs. Interested researchers can find Northeastern ETDs in the Digital Repository Service. Theses and dissertations written before 2007 are only available in print format in the Northeastern University Archives.
A broad category of research in which existing research is reviewed to clarify what is known. Evidence synthesis uses explicit and reproducible methods. Common types of evidence synthesis include systematic reviews, scoping reviews, integrative reviews, and umbrella reviews.
A computer-based means of storing, analyzing, and displaying geographic data. Researchers use Geographic Information Systems to create maps and charts.
A way of examining and interpreting data about geographic locations, or spatial data. Geospatial analysis examines spatial data to gain insights and identify patterns or trends. Also called geospacial analysis.
A government document shared to inform and start discussion about proposed policy.
Research or reports circulated outside of a traditional publication process. Types of grey literature include:
Also called gray literature.
The system Northeastern’s library uses for interlibrary loan requests. The first time you request materials, you’ll need to set up your account.
A library service that allows you to request resources your library does not have. At Northeastern University, this service is free. Materials are delivered electronically when possible.
A unique number used to identify books. Many databases and search engines allow you to search for a book using an ISBN.
An ongoing publication focused on current developments in a field. Journal issues are released on a regular schedule.
A unit of Northeastern’s library with responsibility for services or systems. Some departments are referred to by their acronyms:
A search setting that removes search results based on source attributes. Limiters vary by database but often include publication date, material type, and language. Also called: filter or facet.
Notes, comments, annotations, sketches, added to the margins of a text. These can be typed or hand-written. Marginalia can include headers, footnotes, and sidenotes. In some cases, marginalia are written by the author of a text, but is often notes made by a reader.
Information associated with a resource, usually organized in a specific way. The word metadata means "data about data".
Metadata varies but often includes title, creator, and format. Descriptive metadata makes it possible to find and identify resources in a collection. When the metadata in a collection is standardized, the predefined structure is called a metadata schema.
Research or data available for free. Open access resources are sometimes labeled with an unlocked padlock symbol. These resources often have permissive licenses that support re-use and sharing.
What is Open Access?
Words used to connect multiple search terms to bring back targeted results. Operators can be used to reduce or expand the number of search results. Operators include:
Also called: Boolean Operator.
Well-regarded review process used by some academic journals. Relevant experts review articles for quality and originality before publication. Articles reviewed using this process are called peer reviewed articles. Less often, these articles are called refereed articles.
A newspaper, magazine or journal that is published on a regular schedule.
A free and open-source Geographic Information System (GIS) application. This tool set enables you to capture, analyze, visualize, and share geographic data. QGIS is a Mac-friendly alternative to ArcGIS.
Data defined by a grid of equally sized cells, akin to pixels.
To transfer information from one format to another. Example: Scanning a paper newspaper to create an online or PDF version. Reformatting includes digitization.
A webpage or pages created by librarians to guide your research in a field or course. Research guides include links to resources, tutorials, and other information.
The removal of a published article from a journal. A journal’s editors or editorial board can decide to retract an article when it has serious errors. Errors that can result in retraction include:
A book or article written by academic researchers and published by an academic press or journal. Scholarly sources contain original research and commentary.
Common filetype (.shp) for points, lines, or polygons. This filetype is widely used in Geographic Information Systems, specifically ArcGIS. Various free shapefiles are available online.
A library database that searches a broad range of resources. Material in Scholar OneSearch includes:
Scholar OneSearch also includes information about material held at Northeastern’s libraries. Researchers can use ScholarOne Search to organize their research and manage borrowed items. To best serve Northeastern University's widespread community, ScholarOne Search has different views:
Appropriate views for each global campus are included on their Global Campus Portal.
Information tied to specific geographic locations or positions on the Earth's surface. Also known as “geospatial data”, GeoData, or spacial data.
Library staff who have expertise in an academic subject. A subject librarian can offer advice on:
Subject librarians are available to work with individuals and small groups. They create guides and tutorials and teach workshops.
A source focused on sharing news and information of interest to an industry. Trade publications are often published by industry associations. Periodicals related to an industry are called trade journals.
An unrepeated string of numbers and letters used to recognize and differentiate material. Also called an identification number. Examples include American citizen's’ social security numbers or published books' ISBNs. A persistent identifier (PID) is a long-lasting type of unique identifier. Persistent identifiers allow you to locate a resource with a URL. Examples include electronic articles' Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) and digital materials' handles.
The precise address for a webpage. URL stands for the words uniform resource locator.
A spatial model using coordinates for representing points, lines, and polygons.
A concise, researched report about a complex issue. Readers should gain enough understanding to solve a related problem or make a choice.
An article or conference proposal draft shared to invite feedback.