Data Management Plans (DMPs)
Why write a DMP?
Although most funders require researchers to submit a data management plan (DMP) as part of a grant application, writing a DMP is good practice not just for funded grants, but for all research projects. Writing a DMP provides the impetus for researchers to consider and propose they will manage and share their research data before project work begins. This benefits researchers as it establishes the framework and resources to support their research data, which translates to more efficient time management and lower costs during project work.
Many funders provide templates that include data management guidelines for researchers to reference as they write their DMPs. For example: the Medical Research Council's (MRC) template includes detailed data-related topics for researchers to review while writing their DMPs. These topics draw researchers' attention to the procedures and resources required for good data management while writing their DMPs for MRC to review.
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