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Data Management

A resource to assist researchers in data management

Use a System

The most important step to organize your research data is having a system and using it consistently. You may choose to organize your data by:

  • Project
  • Data
  • Analysis type
  • Research
  • Site or data source

Document, Document, Document

Document throughout your research process. 

  • Document any data processing analyses
  • Take notes!
  • Include both written, electronic, and recorded notes
  • Create documentation within your organization at project and folder levels
    • Create a README.txt file
  • Use descriptive names within your documentation

Organize Your Folders

Separate out your research instead of putting all your samples in a general folder or a hard drive. Label it with the grant number, research site, type of data, and name the data file meaningfully.

Example: 
Don't: Documents\Research\Sample1.jpg
Do: C:\\NSFGrant123\CaloRiver\Images
       \Calo_20170120.tiff

Name Files Meaningfully

Use meaningful names that are consistent, descriptive, and short.

A great way to meaningfully name files is to include the project, instrument, and the year, month, and date in the file name.

Example: 
Don't: File12935.xls
Do: Project_Instrument_location_
       YYYYMMDD.csv

Use open file formats

Open file formats are less likely to become obsolete. Proprietary software, such as Microsoft Office Suite, may become obsolete. Open file formats have a history of wide adoption and backward compatibility. By choosing open file formats you can help ensure your data is accesible in the future.

Choose open formats:

  • .txt over .docx
  • .cvs over .xslx

Organize and Document Presentation