Managing your research data
Research data management (RDM) means the storage, curation, preservation and provision of continuing access to analogue and digital research data. RDM is a way of codifying these research good practices in a way that can make it easier for you to conduct your research.
If you’re encountering RDM for the first time you will find many of the activities will be familiar to you. This includes activities such as:
- creating backups of your work and controlling who has access to them
- choosing file formats that can be opened easily in the future
- describing methodology and keeping track of versions of files
This information can help you with all aspects of the data management process.

Plan
Learn how to plan your research data, helping you make the right decisions about creating, storing and sharing your data before you start your project.

Organise
Organise your data! - discover how to you can make your data files easy to store, find and use including formats, storage and file naming.

Access
Tips to help your research data be accessible and tips on how to access other sources of data for your research.

Preserve & share
Discover how to preserve and restore your data securely for as long as necessary.

EPSRC funded
Guidance from EPSRC for funded researchers on the availability and accessibility of research data.

Safepod
Find out more about our new service to facilitate access to sensitive data held in major data centres.Deposit research data
Follow these instructions to deposit your research data into the Warwick Research Archive Portal.Research support
Popular open access services:
Search for research support.
Remember
Care and management of your data is an essential part of research good practice. Most funders and many academic institutions now have mandates to ensure that data is properly managed and, where possible, shared.
Support
We are always happy to help, for questions or support.
Individual advice and individual or group training on RDM are available. Please contact us on researchdata at warwick dot ac dot uk.
Profiles: Research support
DM news
AHRC update - data management plans
The Arts and Humanities Research Council now requires that all proposals include a Data Management Plan (DMP). Previously, only proposals which contained a significant technical element required such a plan. Assistance in developing a DMP is available, or contact researchdata at warwick dot ac dot uk.
BMJ Open Science supports sharing research data
In this tweet, BMJ add two more reasons to the ten provided (building up the credibility and reproducibility of results and imparting one’s share as a member to the research community).
Everyone needs a data management plan
Nature advises “Everyone needs a data management plan” in their persuasive editorial. It reports that many scientists are worryingly unprepared, but that there are huge benefits to be gained from preparing a Data Management Plan or DMP. (March 2018).