Data management is the process of validating, organizing, protecting, maintaining, and processing scientific data to ensure the accessibility, reliability, and quality of the data for its users.
Proper data management helps maintain scientific rigor and research integrity. Keeping good track of data and associated documentation lets researchers and collaborators use data consistently and accurately. Carefully storing and documenting data also allows more people to use the data in the future, potentially leading to more discoveries beyond the initial research.
- Information from the NIH website
If you are trying to create a data management plan, please use the CU Anschutz NIH Data Management plan at DMPTool. Please note that to use this tool, you must create an account and select University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) as your campus. If you sign in and see contact information for Auraria Library or the Denver campus, please contact DMPTool so they can change your affiliation.
We encourage you to use the following language for section 6, regarding regulatory oversight at Anschutz. Please be sure that if you include this language, you contact the CU Anschutz Privacy Office for review. Do not include this language without submitting the DMP to CU Anschutz Privacy Office.
The DSMP will be initially viewed, accepted then tracked by the CU Anschutz Privacy Office in collaboration with the CU Anschutz IT Security and Compliance Office with annual oversight at the time of the annual report.
This process is under the authority of the Associate VC for Regulatory Compliance and CISO and Assistant VC Information Security and IT Compliance.
If you are looking for repositories, please check the Where should I publish? Datasets section.
If you are looking for NIH-specific information, please scroll down to our NIH section.
We encourage researchers to manage their data while keeping in mind FAIR principles. FAIR stands for:
Examples of how to make data FAIR include, but are not limited to: having DOIs, using Creative Commons or other clear and accessible data usage licenses, and using standardized language and organization. Following these principles helps ensure that data will not disappear or be forgotten. You can learn more about how to apply FAIR at the GO FAIR website.
As of 2023, the NIH expects applicants to submit a plan for managing and sharing their data. This includes all NIH-supported research regardless of funding level, including extramural grants or contracts, intramural research projects, and other funding agreements.
Applicants can include certain costs associated with data management and sharing in their budget.
Data is defined as any data needed to validate and replicate research findings. It does not include laboratory notebooks, preliminary analyses, completed case report forms, drafts of scientific papers, plans for future research, peer reviews, communications with colleagues, or physical objects such as laboratory specimens.
Your data plan should include the following:
For further information, you can check the NIH website or the OSF Data Management checklist.
The NIH has an official example of a data management plan, and the OSF Data Management working group also has a searchable database of example data management plans. The NIH has also provided a suggested list of NIH preferred repositories.
If you have general questions about data management, please contact Hannah Pollard.
If you have specific questions about your data management plan, we recommend speaking to your grants administrator or contacting the NIH directly at sharing@nih.gov.