Data management plan (DMP)

Data management is an integral part of conducting research. Planning the collection, use, storage, and reuse of research data helps to clarify and streamline the work of researchers and research teams. The different components of a data management plan ensure that all relevant requirements are taken into account throughout the research process.

Effective data management planning also helps to ensure that research data can be reused after the project has ended. It enables you to maintain high-quality research data that comply with the FAIR principles, meaning that the data are findable, accessible, interoperable, and as reusable as possible. In the case of data containing personal information, reuse and archiving are only possible if these aspects are considered in advance and appropriately addressed when informing research participants.

A Data Management Plan (DMP) describes and covers the entire lifecycle of the data, from its collection, creation, and processing to its publication, archiving, or disposal. The plan is a living document that is intended to be supplemented and updated throughout the duration of the research project.

The University of Jyväskylä's Research Data Policy requires that a DMP be drawn up for each research project carried out at the university.

The basic format of the DMP describes

1. what data you will use, collect and produce for the study,
2. how you take into account legislation, ethical principles guiding the research and the rights to the data
3. how to document and create metadata,
4. where you will store the data during the research and how you will ensure its integrity,
5. how you will dispose of the data (archiving, publication, destruction) at the end of the research project; and
6. what roles are involved in managing the data and what resources are required for the activities you describe.

Many research funders, as well as the University of Jyväskylä, require researchers to prepare a data management plan. A data management plan is also a mandatory appendix in the the ethical review of research. 

Research Data Services provide guidance and training for the preparation of Data Management Plans (DMPs). To book a consultation or submit questions regarding a DMP, please contact Research Data Services at researchsupport-osc@jyu.fi.

Guidance for projects funded by Research Council of Finland

The Research Council of Finland requires that the project's Principal Investigator (PI) submit the project's Data Management Plan (DMP) through the Academy's online services system (SARA) within eight (8) weeks of the funding decision date.

Submission of a Data Management Plan is a prerequisite for accepting the funding. Before the DMP is submitted through SARA, it must be reviewed and approved by Research Data Services at the Open Science Centre. The Open Science Centre also provides support and guidance for drafting and finalizing the plan. Please arrange a consultation or submit your DMP for review well in advance of the deadline.

Research Data Services also support the development of Data Management Policies for research infrastructures funded by the Research Council of Finland (see Data Management Policy for Research Infrastructures – Research Council of Finland).

Research Data Management Training (4 hours)

The Research Data Management training course (4 hours), intended primarily for doctoral researchers, is suitable for anyone wishing to prepare a Data Management Plan with guided support. For up-to-date information about upcoming training sessions, see: Research Data Management Training | University of Jyväskylä 

A data management plan (DMP) must be prepared for all doctoral research projects that involve any type of research data. The purpose of the DMP is to ensure that appropriate decisions are made regarding the collection, storage, possible sharing, and eventual opening of research data. Key considerations include legal requirements, research ethics, the processing of personal data, information security, data-related rights, and the digital tools used for data handling.

If your research requires an ethical review, a data management plan is mandatory. In this case, please follow the instructions provided for the ethical review process.

For doctoral researchers, the most effective and easy way to plan research data management is usually to participate in the Research Data Management training (4 hours). During the training, participants review the essential aspects of data management and prepare a simple data management plan for their doctoral research. Please make sure to register for the appropriate training session (there are separate courses for research involving human participants). The training can also be included as part of the Open Science Centre course LIBJ2002 Collect, Manage and Publish Information. Up-to-date information on available training sessions can be found on the University of Jyväskylä’s website: Research data management training | University of Jyväskylä

If you are unable to attend the training, you can prepare your data management plan using the templates provided on this page and the associated University of Jyväskylä guidelines. Advice and personal guidance are available from the Research Data Services specialists at researchsupport-osc@jyu.fi . You do not need to submit the plan to Research Data Services. 

For EU-funded projects, please contact the Open Science Centre at researchsupport-osc@jyu.fi for guidance and support with preparing and reviewing your Data Management Plan.

Below, you will find links to more detailed instructions for each section.