1. How to write a Data Management Plan for your project
A taster of the Transferrable Skills module
Gareth Knight
Project Manager
RDM Support Service

2. Research Data
Digital or physical material that is collected, observed, or created for the purposes of performing original research
Data is produced using many methods:
Observation: Watch & record variables of interest
Experiment: Apply treatment or control condition & record variables of interest
Simulation: Produce model that imitates a real-world process or system
Derivation: Secondary data processed to produce new research results.
Data Management is the decision-making process that determines how data should be handled during a research activity. By taking steps to manage your data, you can achieve several objectives: - See more at:

3. LSHTM Expectations
“Data produced during the research activity should be managed appropriately, ensuring that it is stored, organised and documented in a manner that allows it to be understood and used for the intended purpose.”
LSHTM Research Degrees Handbook
“A Data Management Plan describing the approach that will be taken to create, manage, and share research data should be produced by all School-led research grants that are creating, capturing, or enhancing data.”
LSHTM Research Data Management Policy

4. Why Plan Data Management?
Identify end goal & practical steps you need to perform
Anticipate problems and reduce likelihood that they will occur
Recognise support needs & resource implications
Communicate objectives to your supervisor
Demonstrate you’re taking a responsible approach to project management
Meet sponsorship obligations
Identify research topic & funding
Perform literature review
Develop research plan
Upgrading seminar
Perform research
Write-up results
Produce several drafts
Finalise & submit

5. Session Outline The session will cover the following topics:
Reasons to manage your research data
The role of Data Management Plans in research
Key decisions that should be made related to:
Data handling practices
File formats and software tools
Quality control
Documentation
Storage and security
Data archiving and sharing
Concluding thoughts & recommendations