Plan data management

Handle your data in a secure manner

Already at the beginning of the research process, you need to classify the information you will handle. You also need to carry out a risk analysis. 

Information security (Aurora)

Create a data management plan

Many large research funding bodies require a data management plan (DMP) when you apply for research funding. Umeå University also recommends that researchers draw up a data management plan at the beginning of each research project. Use the tool DMPonline to compile and work with your data management plan.

Create a data management plan

Prepare for FAIR data

Research funders such as Formas and the Swedish Research Council require that your data management follows the FAIR principles. The goal is for your research data management to maintain a high and consistent quality.

At the Swedish National Data Service (SND), you can read more about what it means to make your data FAIR:

The FAIR data principles (SND)

Plan your metadata descriptions

Metadata is information that describes your research data. It is used in repositories, such as the SND catalogue, and when archiving. A central part of the FAIR principles is to create metadata descriptions of your data; your work is facilitated if you are systematic from the beginning.

Metadata

Organise and document your data

There are significant advantages to planning how to structure folders and files for you and potential collaborators. You also need to plan how to document your research data management in terms of, for example, information classification and risk analysis.

Collect and organise data

Plan for data preservation

You must store your research data securely during and after your research work. Your research data should be archived at the University, and you can also make your data available in a repository. In the planning phase, you need to consider whether you will handle personal data or other data with high protection values that cannot be published openly.

Share and publish data

Preserve data

Find proper storage solutions

ITS offers different types of data storage services and can provide advice on information security.

Research planning (Aurora)

Contact the department’s archive coordinator

Each department is responsible for archiving research documents produced by its researchers. Always contact the department’s archive coordinator and registrar early in the research process to get information on how to archive your research material.