What Is Data Management?
What is data management and why do I need to do it?
A general definition of data management is the collection and organization of data produced by scholars and researchers in order to preserve knowledge and aid future research. Currently, the impetus for managing data is due to government mandates, in the United States as well as other countries, to make research more accessible to the public who are funding it through the payment of taxes. While the most visible data management campaigns are typically within the sciences, all academic disciplines can benefit from and, indeed, have been adopting over time, plans to archive and make available their research output.
Example data management policy: National Institutes of Health Data Management and Sharing Policy Guidance for Northwestern University Investigators. This website features checklists, templates, and links to NU resources as well as sites beyond NU.
Data Management books
Principles of Data Management by ISBN: 1780175930Publication Date: 2022-07-26Data is a valuable corporate asset and its effective management is vital to an organisation's success. This professional guide covers all the key areas of data management, including database development and corporate data modelling. It is business-focused, providing the knowledge and techniques required to successfully implement the data management function. This new edition adds chapters on linked data, concept systems and big data and artificial intelligence.
Data Management for Researchers by ISBN: 9781784270124Publication Date: 2015-09-01A comprehensive guide to everything scientists need to know about data management, this book is essential for researchers who need to learn how to organize, document and take care of their own data. --publisher
Engaging Researchers with Data Management: The CookbookISBN: 1783747994Engaging Researchers with Data Management is an invaluable collection of 24 case studies, drawn from institutions across the globe, that demonstrate clearly and practically how to engage the research community with RDM. --publisher
More Resources
Data Management research guide
A guide curated by NU Libraries with links to data management campus resources, as well as helpful sites beyond NU. Among the aids is the DMPTool, a wizard for creating data management plans. Also included are templates for specific funding agencies and videos on data management best practices.
A quick overview in 46 slides of what data management is all about (credit: University of California Irvine Libraries).
An alphabetical list of data management terms compiled by Cornell University's Research Data Management Service Group.
Data Management Training Clearinghouse
A searchable registry of data management online learning resources.
Recommendations from MIT Libraries on how to manage your files, including organizing and backing them up.
Research Data Management at NU
Consulting services on data management for NU faculty, students, staff provided at no cost.