Research Data Management

Welcome to the Research Data Management library guide.   We are here to guide you through best practices in research data management and available data storage options at UConn.  Please click on the tabs to the left for more information.

• Do you need help with knowing where to backup your data?
• Where can I get a DOI for my dataset?
• Can you review my Data Management Plan (DMP)?
• Do you need help with completing a Data Management plan because you received a grant?
• Are you a faculty member who would like for us to offer your students a data management workshop?
• Do you need to know about storage options for your data on campus?
• Do you need help with finding an open access repository for your research?  We know of many subject specific repositories online.

As research data management outreach librarians, we can respond to these questions!

As Data Management library liaisons, we are available to:

• Review your Data Management Plans (DMP) before submission to check for compliance
• Offer workshops or trainings on data management best practices
• Offer consultations where we instruct you on data management best practices and policies

Our role does not include data curation. If you need data curation consultation, then you should contact other offices on campus such as the Statistical Consulting Service.

Under the new Data Management & Sharing Policy, NIH requires researchers to prospectively plan for how scientific data will be preserved and shared through submission of a Data Management and Sharing Plan. This plan will be effective as of January 25, 2023. We have created a page on this new policy for you, linked below. 

Research data management is:

• The process of ensuring that your data is organized, accessible, clearly understood, and preserved for future access.
• Rules and guidelines that you and/or your team set to manage the organization, storage, preservation and access of data generated from your research.
• Steps required by federal funding agencies
• Preparing your data for sharing and access

Metadata is the information that defines what your data is about and what it describes.  Good metadata is a part of good research data management.  Someone who does not know your research personally should be able to understand what your data is describing because of the metadata that accompanies the data.

Good metadata is a love note to the future

When you conduct your research, think how you will view if come back to look at it in a year or two.  Will you still understand what your data is about?  Good metadata ensures that you or another researcher will be able to make sense of what your data describes, monitors, etc.

Disclaimer:  This guide is for educational and informational purposes only. Advice and information about best practices is for your benefit only and does not imply that following this information will guarantee grant awards or publication of research articles.