Definition and principles
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines research data as "factual records (numerical scores, textual records, images and sounds) used as primary sources for scientific research, and that are commonly accepted in the scientific community as necessary to validate research findings".
The issues involved in good data management
Managing data well is beneficial for you... and for others!
Good data management has three major advantages:
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You save time: Getting started with documentation and implementing best practices take some time to get used to at the outset, but when integrated gradually throughout the project, they will save you time compared to complying at the end of the process, when the data is already far removed from its production context.
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You limit the risks: Evaluating the resources used and considering the tools and methods for sharing enable you to produce and disseminate (with or without restricted access) in complete security. Your data remain identifiable and well-organised, and you avoid losses.
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You make sharing and disseminating easier: Your data are stored in trusted, interoperable structures, making them easily accessible to both humans and machines. This gives your work greater visibility and impact.