Kim is finished writing the DMP for Dr. Smart's grant proposal application. Her next steps are to ask the librarian responsible for reviewing DMPs with researchers to look it over and provide feedback. She also will contact the liaison/subject librarian for her discipline to seek additional comments on the DMP. Dr. Smart is thrilled with her contribution and tells Kim that now that she has written a DMP, she should list this experience on her resume. Scientists who know how to plan for, and manage, research data will be in high demand!
Essentially, a DMP is a description of how you will collect, manage, document, preserve and share your data. The DMP can save you time and effort down the road. Not only is it required by many funding agencies, a good DMP can also help improve your chances of getting a grant. A data management plan is a useful tool for any researcher.
The last part of this tutorial reviews the main points to remember in writing a DMP.
A DMP tells how a researcher will keep track of data for future access and preservation during the course of the research project being proposed. If you are applying to the NSF for funding, then consult the website of the directorate or division for the grant program; some NSF directorates and divisions have more focused guidelines for the DMP.
It's highly recommended that you consult with the University Libraries on the DMP; this is so we have knowledge of the project, can plan ahead if necessary, and can review the DMP prior to submission. Email l-data-mgmt@lists.psu.edu [2] and a librarian will get back to you in response to your inquiry.
The following lists what a DMP needs to address:
Creating a data management plan does not need to take a lot of time and can be very beneficial to you as a researcher. As Dr. Stephenson describes, DMPs are useful in the long run.
The University Libraries offer help with data management planning, including a review of DMPs for a grant proposal and guidance on best practices for managing research data. Please use the contact information below to get in touch when you are seeking help:
Data Management List (coordinated by librarians to address DMP review requests): l-data-mgmt@lists.psu.edu [2]
Patricia Hswe, Digital Content Strategist and Head, ScholarSphere User Services: phswe@psu.edu [5] | 814-867-3702
Thank you for reviewing the DMP tutorial. We welcome suggestions and other feedback.
Please share your thoughts with use at theUniversity Libraries Publishing and Curation Services [11].
Links
[1] http://www.flickr.com/photos/niels_olson/3045784983/
[2] mailto:l-data-mgmt@lists.psu.edu
[3] https://scholarsphere.psu.edu/
[4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWfelymHew4
[5] mailto:phswe@psu.edu
[6] http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/colldev/university_park_subject.html
[7] https://scholarsphere.psu.edu/files/w0892c954
[8] https://scholarsphere.psu.edu/files/cv43nw822
[9] https://dmptool.org
[10] http://databib.org/
[11] http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/pubcur.html