Research Data Management: Home

When you decide to undertake any kind of research you will need to consider how you will create, find, organise, store, share and preserve the data for the project. Once the project is finalised thought for the ongoing access and availability should also be considered.

Research Data Management should begin with the commencement of the research project and continue throughout the research lifecycle. 

If you intend to use NT Health data in your research project the Data Governance NT Health Framework  and Data Standards will assist you in understanding how NT Health have created best practice standards for ensuring long term preservation and access of health data. With this in mind, you can plan to manage the data from your own project and ensure it remains secure, accessible and viable into the future.

Managing your research data is important for the following reasons:

1.  Data is fragile and can quite easily be lost if it is not stored correctly.  Imagine if your data was 'temporarily'  stored on a USB in your pocket and that USB  accidently went through your washing machine!
2. Correct organisation can prevent errors and improve research quality. Following a systematic approach in how you decide to store, share and access your data will keep it 'tidy', easier to find and use.
3. Research findings can be replicated and validated. On occasion you may be asked to share your data with others, or it may be requested to help substantiate another research project. 
4. There are time and resource savings to be gained by applying data management practices. Think how much time is spent actively ensuring your data is safe and secure in comparison to scrambling to locate it many years down the track when it may be required again.
5. Publishers and funders may request to see your data.  Imagine if publication of your research requires the submission of your data as validation of your findings - and you don't remember whose local drive it is stored on!
6. Data in published journal articles is valuable research output. Others can benefit from all your hard work if your data can be used outside of your project. 

First things

No one should ever embark on a major journey without a plan. This should also be the case when you decide to take on a research project. Thinking ahead and planning is an important first step in considering all the possible details that will impact the process and its eventual completion.

In Exploring Research Data Management, Cox and Verbaan (2018, p.116) assert that a data management plan has the potential to improve research data management as long as the following concepts are considered:

1. They should be actively used throughout the project, rather than being written and filed away.
2. They should be updated according to any necessary changes identified as the project unfolds
3. They should be informed by best practice.

There are many data management plans available through reputable research organisations that can give you guidance about what is expected in preparing your own data management plan. We recommend you look at the following sites and documents and adapt one that will suit the research project that you are undertaking

Clinical Research Data Management Templates

Non-Clinical Research Data Management Templates

This short video takes a look at the what, why and how of a data management plan