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A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a formal document that describes how you will handle your data during the course of your research and at the conclusion of your study or project.
A Data Sharing Plan (DSP) is a document that describes how you plan to disseminate your data at the conclusion of a research project.
These two documents may be separate or combined, and DMP and DSP are often used interchangeably.
Many funding agencies require data management or data sharing plans to be submitted with new grant applications. Each funding agency has specific requirements, so it is important to check the guidelines for your specific grant.
In addition to meeting funder requirements, there are many other benefits to creating a DMP. Many data management issues can be handled easily or avoided entirely by planning ahead. Creating a DMP doesn't take too long and can pay off enormously in the long run. A good DMP will:
Although DMP requirements vary by funding agency, your plan will typically need to address the following topics:
For a more comprehensive list of items that could be included in a data management plan, visit:
Many journals now require a data sharing statement or data availability statement to accompany a publication. This is different than a data management or sharing plan which a funder might require when applying for a grant, prior to beginning a research project. The purpose of this requirement is to facilitate transparency in the scientific process at the point of publication, connecting a manuscript with the data that supports its conclusions. A data sharing statement should include the following information:
OR
For more information about data sharing, please see the Share Data page on this guide.
Video: Data Sharing Statements
By: Sara Samuel