FDM

Research data is generated in various forms throughout the entire research process. In principle, research data is understood as "all digitally available data that is generated during the research process or is its result"¹.

Research data management (RDM) enables the sustainable use of research data and is based on the data life cycle, from planning and collection to analysis and publication of research data, as well as the FAIR principles. According to these principles, data should be findable, accessible, interoperable (complete, compatible) and re-usable. Research data management thus ensures access, reuse, reproducibility and quality assurance of all research data.

The implementation of research data management opens up new opportunities and advantages for researchers. These include the following:

• Higher scientific impact through data publications
• Efficient implementation of project management on the basis of data management plans
• Safeguarding the integrity of research data

A summary of the most important aspects of research data management can be found here (deposit FDM guide).

Data management plans (DMP) are a central component of research data management. They contain all the essential information for handling research data.

Data management plans should be drawn up at the start of every research project and take into account the following aspects, among others:

• Regulations on responsibilities
• Project and dataset description
• Information on metadata and standards
• Archiving and backup of data
• Data re-use
• Costs

Data management plans are increasingly required by more and more research funders, for example the German Research Foundation (DFG) or the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). You can find an overview of the requirements of various research funders, as well as sample data management plans from research funders, on the HU-Berlin(Opens in a new tab)  website. In addition, the DFG offers an overview of subject-specific recommendations for handling research data(Opens in a new tab) .

In summary, data management plans contain information on the implementation of research data management in research projects. It is also important to note that additional costs for RDM can be taken into account, depending on the funding guidelines. This includes costs relating to data re-use options, personnel costs and costs for infrastructure, e.g. server services. Costs for RDM should already be calculated when submitting the application.

Do you need more information on data management plans or do you have questions about creating a data management plan? Then please contact Mr. Philip Raatz. You can also find further information at forschungsdaten.info(Opens in a new tab) .

Thinking about research data management within research projects has now become one of the central requirements when applying for third-party funding, e.g. from the German Research Foundation. It is also part of compliance with good scientific practice¹. This presents researchers with new challenges in their everyday research work. These new requirements also affect researchers' need for new structures, processes and advisory services within their universities.

The Westphalian University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Fachhochschule Dortmund and Bochum University of Applied Sciences and Arts are jointly addressing these needs by establishing the position of a central FDMScout as part of the "FDMScouts.nrw"(Opens in a new tab)  funding line. In this way, the conditions are being created to develop and establish efficient and structured research data management at all three participating universities. This will result in long-term social benefits and promote the research and transfer activities of the three universities.

With the "FDMScouts.nrw" funding line, the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Digital University NRW (DH.NRW) want to create a targeted and needs-based opportunity to anchor the topic of RDM both strategically and operationally at the university in the long term as part of the state-wide digitization offensive for the universities of applied sciences in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The following pages offer you a comprehensive and detailed overview of all aspects of research data management.

• fdm.nrw(Opens in a new tab) 
• forschungsdaten.info (Opens in a new tab) 
• researchdata.org(Opens in a new tab)