Basic tips for managing research data. This is the accompanying handout for the RCR presentation here: http://www.slideshare.net/kbriney/responsible-conduct-of-research-data-management
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Data Management Tips Handout
1. Data Management
Use Backups
Rule of 3: have 2 on-site copies, 1 offsite
Automate backups whenever possible
Periodically test restore data from backups
Be Consistent
Name your files consistently
Avoid spaces and the following characters: “ / : * ? ‘ < > [ ] & $
Use date conventions: YYYY-MM-DD or YYYYMMDD
Examples: 20090923_spctrm_trans_03.csv, SLAposter_FINAL.ai, BlogPost-2011-11-12.docx
Consistent documentation
Think about documentation before you start a project
Make a list of the information to record when you acquire a dataset
Examples: date, experiment, sample number, calibration factors, temperature, etc.
Document Your Conventions
Print out near computer/experiment area
In front of research/lab notebook
Page 1: Project information
Page 2: Document conventions and abbreviations
Page 3-X: Index of experiments (use 1 index line per page in notebook)
README.txt in computer folders
Top-level folder: Project information
Lower-level folders: What’s in this folder?
Plan ahead
Get security assistance if you deal with HIPPA, FERPA, IRB, or other sensitive information
UWM Information Security Office: www.uwm.edu/itsecurity/
HIPAA: www.uwm.edu/legal/hipaa/index.cfm
FERPA: www.uwm.edu/academics/ferpa.cfm
Avoid proprietary file formats or convert to them as soon as possible
Examples: .doc to .txt, .xls to .csv, .jpg to .tif
Preserve software if no open format available
Periodically move data off outdated media
CC-BY Kristin Briney, Data Services Librarian
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries
http://www4.uwm.edu/libraries/dataservices/