This article outlines what research data management is and why it is important.

What is research data?

Research data refers to any source of information generated or used during a research project that is required to reproduce and verify results. Research data is not just the tabular files we often think of as data, it’s also all of the various files and documents produced through the entire lifecycle of your research project. For example, surveys, interviews, interview transcripts, code, images, video and audio.

What is research data management? 

Research data management (RDM) concerns applying good practices to your research data during and after your research project. For example the correct handling, organising, storing, preserving, sharing, ethics and legal care of research data using the FAIR Principles as guidance. FAIR data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. 

Why is RDM important?

Research data often have a longer lifespan than your research project. You may continue to work on your research data after funding has ceased, follow-up projects may analyse or add to these data, and your data may be reused or your research replicated by other researchers. Applying good RDM practices to your research data ensures that they become as FAIR as possible. This prevents that your research data becomes unfindable, unusable or even lost to others or yourself in the future. Additionally, good RDM increases the visibility and value of your research. 

Questions & Support

Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us at data@wur.nl.