Research Data Life Cycle

The University of Florida Libraries are here to assist you with data management planning, including the development of data management plans, supporting long term preservation needs, improving data discoverability, and meeting UF security and privacy requirements. The lifecycle of research data extends beyond life of the project. Typically, the research data lifecycle includes but not limited to: Data planning, Data Acquisition, Data process, Data analysis, Data preservation, Data sharing, and Data discovery. Many funding agencies require data management and sharing plans for funded research.

The UF Data Guide (requires Gatorlink authentication) help you understand your data type within UF’s data classification guidelines. This guide can also be used to find approved software and computing infrastructure for use with various data types. See: UF Integrated Risk Management (IRM) for the UF Data Guide.

*Why manage research data?

  • Find and understand data when needed
  • Project continuity through researcher, staff, student turnover
  • Organized data saves time
  • Reduces risk of lost, stolen, or misused data
  • Comply with funder and journal requirements
  • Allows for easier validation of results
  • Data can be shared, leading to collaboration and great impact
  • Protect and preserve data

*Adapted from Princeton Research Data Service Research Lifecycle Guide, https://researchdata.princeton.edu/research-lifecycle-guide/research-lifecycle-guidee.

Acknowledgements/Resources

Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). (2022). Data Management Plans. https://ardc.edu.au/resources/aboutdata/data-management-plans/

DataONE. (2013). Ensure the reliability of your storage media.

DataONE. (2016). Data Management Skillbuilding Hub. https://dataoneorg.github.io/Education/.

DCC. (2007). Curation lifecycle model. https://www.dcc.ac.uk/guidance/curation-lifecycle-model.

DCC. (2013). Checklist for a Data Management Plan. v.4.0. Edinburgh: Digital Curation Centre. Available online: http://www.dcc.ac.uk/resources/data-management-plans.

Digital Curation Centre. (2013). What are Metadata Standards.

Hanson, K., Surkis, A., & Yacobucci, K. Data Sharing and Management Snafu in 3 Short Acts.

University of Edinburgh. (2021). MANTRA: Research Data Management Training. https://mantra.ed.ac.uk/.

University of Texas at Austin Libraries. (2013). Recommended File Formats.