The Research Data Management (RDM) lifecycle accompanies data throughout all phases of a research project. From planning, collection, processing, and analysis to storage, sharing or publication, and long-term reuse – each phase contributes to ensuring the value and quality of research data. The following subpages provide an overview of the key steps and best practices in each phase.
Do I need a Data Management Plan?
Some funding organizations require a DMP during or after the project application process. This document describes how research data are handled during and after a project and defines how your data will be organized, stored, shared, and archived.
In Switzerland, the main research funders have the following requirements:
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
- A DMP is required for grant release and mandatory for approved applications.
- The SNSF administrative office reviews the DMP. Missing or inaccurate information must be corrected before the second payment installment.
- The DMP can be revised (it is a living planning document).
- A final version must be submitted at the end of the project.
Innosuisse
- There are currently no specific DMP requirements.
- Publication of research results is agreed bilaterally between the partners.
Even if not required, a well-developed DMP can help you save time and resources, improve the quality and integrity of your data, and increase their reusability.
Which of my data should be covered by the DMP?
Research data are digital data in any format or medium that are used or generated during the research cycle. They are produced, described, or reused using various scientific methods. Examples include:
- Documentation of observations and surveys: field notes, questionnaires, protocols
- Images, films, and audio materials: photographs, videos, sound recordings
- Outputs of computer programs and code: simulations, models, algorithms
- Experimental results: measurement data, lab notes, test results
- Cultural artefacts: historical documents, artworks, archaeological findings
This may also include data from pilot studies or preliminary investigations.
A DMP should at least cover all types of data collected or generated in your research project. However, it is important to assess which data should be preserved and described — with particular focus on those that enhance the transparency and reproducibility of your research results.
Does every research project need a DMP, even if no new data are collected??
Yes. Even when using third-party or external data, a DMP may be required by the funding organization. Such data are stored, processed, and integrated into your research, so it is essential to specify how they will be secured (especially if provided by an external institution), their volume, and any copyright or licensing considerations.
What should I consider if my research involves human participants?
If your research involves human participants, you should clarify during the planning phase whether an ethics committee must be consulted. This is particularly necessary if your research falls under the Human Research Act (HFG; SR 810.30) — typically in medical or health sciences projects involving the human body or health-related personal data.
Further information can be found in Chapter 2 of the HSLU Research Data Management Guidelines and on the website of the Association of Swiss Ethics Committees: https://swissethics.ch/
How is a Data Management Plan structured?
The structure and content of a DMP depend on the requirements of the funder, the nature of the data generated in your project, and any agreements with project partners.
A DMP typically consists of four main sections, addressing the following guiding questions:
- Data Collection and Documentation: What data will be collected, observed, generated, or reused? How will the data be documented and organized? What metadata will you use?
- Ethical, Legal, and Security Issues: How are ethical and copyright issues addressed and integraded? How will data access and security be managed?
- Data Storage an d Preservation: How will your data be stored and backed up during the research process? What is your plan for long-term preservation?
- Data Sharing an dAccessibility: How and where will the data be archived and made accessible after project completion? Are any restrictions needed to protect sensitive data?
Guidelines for the SNSF DMP can be found on the SNSF website.
The HSLU Research Data Management Office offers consultation on preparing a DMP. You can register via the contact form or contact the office directly by email.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
RDM Office / Libraries
- Provide advice and practical assistance in creating DMPs
- Help identify suitable data repositories
- Support compliance with open-access guidelines
- Offer advice on long-term archiving and data publication
- Provide information on funder and organizational requirements
- Offer legal consultation
- Support on data protection, copyright, and legal aspects of data use and sharing
Open Science Office
- Help identify suitable repositories
- Support open-access compliance and data publication strategies
Further Resources
- Sherpa Juliet: Browse international funder requirements – Research Funders’ Open Access Policies – Sherpa Services: Research Funders‘ Open Access Policies – Sherpa Services
- Zenodo: Example DMPs: Search results (zenodo.org) (note: quality and accuracy of uploaded DMPs not guaranteed)
- SNSF DMP Guidelines
- ETH Zurich Guide to the SNSF DMP: https://documentation.library.ethz.ch/guidance-snsf-dmp
- Public DMPs: https://dmponline.dcc.ac.uk/public_plans