Data Management for Ecologists & Environmental Scientists

a guide to keep UMBS researchers and students organized throughout the data lifecycle

Why to manage your data:

• Your research is most credible when backed by data that is reproducable and reusable.
• You save yourself and other scientists money and resources by keeping your data organized and accessible.
• Your professor or sponsor will potentially require it.
• The importance of data management in a poorly animated 4 minute video.
• If you give your data to a colleague outside of your project, will they be able to make sense of it? Will they be able to use it effectively and properly?

How to manage your data:

• The data life cycle
• Keep your project files organized

Other resources:

• Groups and people:
  • DataONE (Data Observation Network for Earth)
  • EDI (Environmental Data Initiative)
  • jtallant@umich.edu and apawlik@umich.edu
• Learning:
  • DataONE Primer on Data Management
  • DataONE Education
  • UK Data Archive Managing and Sharing Data
  • Mlibrary Data Management Plan Resources
  • Sample Data Repository: UMBS Weather Data

Quick links:

• Basic data terminology
• EML metadata template
• DataONE Primer on Data Management