These principles apply to research data generated by University of Cumbria academic staff and researchers.
The university supports the sharing of research data as openly as possible (subject to not harming the university’s intellectual property, and/or commercial rights including those of a third party).
Research data is valuable and needs managing alongside your research methodology.
1. At the beginning of your project
- Research data management (RDM) (including costs) should be considered at the earliest practical stage of the project.
- Construct a research data management plan using the generic University of Cumbria template or appropriate funder template
2. During your project
- Use standardised file names, folders and version control when saving and storing your data
- Ensure security and integrity of the data, compliance with confidentiality undertakings and data protection law, and respect for ownership and intellectual property rights
- The privacy and other legitimate interests of the subjects of research data must be protected.
- Follow the University’s Code of Practice for Research
3. Preserving your data
- Ongoing research: use university IT data storage facilities
- Completed research: use funder or university approved research data repository facilities to archive your research data and, if required, to make it open access and discoverable
4. Reusing and sharing your data
- Think about the usability of your data and obtain any consents necessary for sharing
- All relevant data must be associated with rich metadata which meets minimum standards set out in funders’ guidance if appropriate
- Research data and supporting material must be sufficient to enable other researchers to understand how it was created or acquired, and, to assess its reuse potential.
- Make people aware that you have created some data – have a communications plan