Research Data Management Planning Projects
One of the most significant drivers to improve research data management comes from research funders, who recognise that 'good research needs good data'.
Most major UK research funders have formulated policies to promote best practice in the management, preservation and publication of research data. In order that such policies may be realised, most funders also require researchers to present a data management plan, most often alongside the application for grant funding. As the creation of digital data during research projects becomes more rapid and complex, data management planning is increasingly viewed as an essential and enabling activity in support of the research process.
The JISC Managing Research Data Programme 2011-13 has funded eight projects to help research groups, projects or departments fulfil disciplinary best practice and the requirements of research funders by designing and implementing data management plans and supporting systems. These projects will explore the specific challenges of applying policies and guidelines to the specific hands-on needs of a range of research areas. In doing so, they will formulate model data management plans and implement supporting systems to allow the plans to be executed. These projects are rapid development projects which will complete by the end of March 2012, or shortly after.