Research Data Management (RDM) refers to the processes applied throughout the life cycle of a research project to guide the collection, documentation, storage, sharing, and preservation of research data.
RDM practices cover the entire lifecycle of the data, from planning the investigation to conducting it, and from backing up data as it is created and used, to long-term preservation of data deliverables after the research investigation has concluded.
Researchers should review the Tri-Agency RDM Policy.
Benefits of Research Data Management
| Increases visibility and impact of research | Data made visible through a data repository can dramatically increase the impact of that research. |
| Accelerates scientific progress | Data sharing allows researchers to access, understand, and re-use others' data, which speeds up the rate of new discoveries. |
| Avoids duplication of research | When data is made publicly available it is much less likely to be recreated, avoiding expensive and needless data production activities. |
| Ensures compliance with funding agency policies | A growing number of funding agencies demand that researchers and host institutions retain, manage, and share their data upon completion of a project. |
| Enables replication and verification of results | A growing number of funding agencies demand that researchers and host institutions retain, manage, and share their data upon completion of a project. |
| Enhances collaboration | Publicly available data enable researchers to better collaborate with each other by sharing datasets, research environments, and tools. |