Please note that these DMP excerpts are copyrighted by their respective authors.
Preferred:
“For the proposed research, [name] will take the lead and responsibility for coordinating and ensuring data storage and access. However, [name] will also be involved in managing, storing, and disseminating the results of the project. Both PIs will be responsible for checking that the plan is being followed. ”
This paragraph names specific individuals and states their roles in managing specific types of data.
Less Developed:
“All the investigators involved in the proposed project have equal rights to access the data generated through this sponsored project. They also have the same obligations to share data with each other and to publish the results in a timely manner.”
This boilerplate paragraph is a good start, but needs to be elaborated with more specific information about project roles.
Preferred:
“Should any of co-PIs leave the University of Michigan, [name] will take the responsibility for the storage and access of data directly acquired by the leaving co-PI. Should the lead-PI leave the University of Michigan, the grant would likely be transferred. If not, [name] or [name] will assume the leadership of the project and responsibility for data storage and access.”
Less Developed:
“There will be no change to the scope of this data management plan should the PI or co-PI leave the University of Michigan.”
The scope of the data management plan needs to include provisions for what will be done in this case, so stating that it will not change is insufficient.
Less Developed:
“We do not expect the project to produce more data than can be appropriately managed by lab personnel.”
This may be true, but it should be justified, at least by reference to other portions of your data management plan.
Explain how you will assign responsibilities for managing your data in the manner described by the remainder of your DMP. Outline the rights and responsibilities of all project participants as to their roles in the management and retention of research data generated during the project. Also consider any changes to these roles and responsibilities that would occur if a PI or co-PI should leave his or her current institution, and describe the procedure for transferring responsibility should this happen during the anticipated lifespan of any data you plan to preserve.