Research data management
Creating a Data Management Plan
This video outlines how to create a Data Management Plan (DMP) using the Curtin Data Management Planning Tool (DMP Tool).
Data management plans
A DMP is a document outlining how you intend to handle your data as you perform your research.
A DMP may ask you to consider things such as:
- What type of data you will collect
- How and where you’ll store that data
- Who will have access to it
- How you’ll address any legislative requirements
- Any agreements about ownership of the data between collaborators
- How, where and when you’ll share your data at the end of the project
Managing the data over the whole project is very important for the success of your research and having a plan on how you’ll manage that data is equally important. Having a good DMP will also help ensure all of the elements of research data FAIRness are present - Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability.
Curtin considers this data management plan process to be so important that completing a DMP is a required for anyone seeking to:
- Commence a higher degree by research (HDR)
- Obtain ethics approval for human or animal research
- Obtain access to the Research Drive (R: drive)
The DMP Tool linked below will help you create a DMP and update it when needed; it will also allow supervisors to review and check the plan and request the creation of R: drives for students.
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Creating a Data Management Plan [00:25:19]
This video covers how to create a DMP at Curtin. -
Curtin Research Data Management Planning Tool
The Curtin DMP tool guides the process of creating a research data management plan and ensures that important aspects of research data management are explored at the start of a research project. -
Data Management Plan workshop
This 1 hour hands-on session will help researchers create their data management plan using the Curtin DMP tool. It is particularly aimed at research staff and students who are preparing for their candidacy or ethics applications and is relevant for all disciplines and fields. -
DMP Advice Tool
This tool outlines areas of possible concern that may arise in your research that should be addressed in a DMP.
DMP Tool Help
Below are instructions for researchers and supervisors on how to resolve common issues when using the Curtin DMP Tool.
Once you have completed all the fields, you should see this message:
This means the DMP has been submitted to your nominated supervisor. You should notify them that your DMP has been created and that they have been nominated as the supervisor.
They will need to log on to the DMP Tool with their own details and complete the steps below before Curtin Digital & Technology Solutions (DTS) will provision your Research Drive access.
Q. How do I setup my R: drive?
A. Once you’ve completed your plan, you should notify your supervisor that your plan is complete.
They can then check your plan and follow the steps as noted in the DMP Tool Help> Help for staff> Steps for Supervisors to complete Students’ Research Drive requests and have DTS create the storage space.
Q. I understand the questions, but I don’t know the answers to the questions the DMP Tool is asking me. Who can I talk to?
A. Your supervisor should be your first point of contact, as they will have the best knowledge of your individual research project and the common research processes and ethics issues in your discipline.
Q. I need more space on my Research Drive. How do I get it?
A. Please contact DTS as described in Student Oasis / SupportU - “Request additional storage for existing research project folders”.
Q. I need to give access to my Research Drive so my Curtin collaborators can access my data. How can I add them to my drive?
A. Please contact DTS as described in Student Oasis / SupportU - “How to request an access change for the R drive”.
Q. I still am having problems. Who can help?
A. Contact the Research Data Management team who will try to help you.
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Go to My Students’ Plans and click Generate PDF from the drop down menu and click Select.
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You will need some of the information in the generated PDF to approve the request.
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From the same drop down menu, click Request Storage and then click Select.
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You will then be asked to provide some details about the DMP submitted by the researcher. These should be included in the generated PDF (N.B. – If the project has a finite timeframe, enter “0” at Projected Yearly Growth).
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Once the details have been entered, select Review. Check the information is correct then select Submit.
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You should then get this message indicating the researchers new DMP has been approved by you and a request will now be sent to Curtin IT for them to provision the R: drive space.
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Go to My Data Management Plans and click Generate PDF from the drop down menu and click Select.
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You will need some of the information in the generated PDF to approve the request.
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From the same drop down menu, click Request Storage and then click Select.
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You will then be asked to some details about the submitted DMP. These should be included in the generated PDF (N.B. – If the project has a finite timeframe, enter “0” at Projected Yearly Growth).
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Once the details have been entered, select Review. Check the information is correct then select Submit.
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You should then get this message. The request will now be sent to DTS for them to provision the R: drive space.
Q. I need more space on my Research Drive. How do I get it?
A. Please contact DTS as described in their Data and Storage - Shared Drives self-help portal (requires Curtin staff login).
Q. I need to give access to my Research Drive so my Curtin collaborators or students can access my data. How can I add them to my drive?
A. Please contact DTS as described in their Data and Storage - Research Drive self-help portal (requires Curtin staff login).
Q. I still am having problems. Who can help?
A. Contact the Research Data Management team who will try to help you.
Example DMPs
These examples are fictitious DMPs in the faculties of Science and Engineering, Health Sciences, Business & Law, Humanities, Centre for Aboriginal Studies and the Vice-Chancellory, which may provide assistance.
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Science and Engineering example data management plan [PDF, 80kB]
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Centre for Aboriginal Studies example data management plan [PDF, 59kB]
Funder requirements
Research funding bodies are concerned with obtaining the best outcomes for the research they fund. One of the ways they do this is by ensuring that researchers have a plan for their data throughout the whole research process.
An example of this is the Australian Research Council (ARC) - a key funding body of fundamental and applied research in Australia. Since 2020, the ARC has required funding applications for National Competitive Grants to have a completed data management plan before the project starts - this is to ensure that researchers are addressing the responsibilities as outlined in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018.
It’s important to note that for most grants the ARC does not require you to submit a full, detailed DMP for assessment. However, you will need to have one in place before the start of the project and provide it to the ARC when requested.
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ARC - Research Data Management
Information about the ARC’s requirements around RDM -
The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018
The Code is a principles-based document that articulates the broad principles and responsibilities that underpin the conduct of Australian research.
More resources
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Data management plans
Provides information about managing and sharing research data. -
The what, why and how of data management planning [00:05:30]
A useful background on data management planning from Research Data Netherlands. -
AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
Researchers engaging in research relating to or involving indigenous participants should be aware of the guidance provided by the AIATSIS Code around research data.