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Research Data Management: Get started

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Research Data Management (RDM) best practices, resources, and services available at the University of Waterloo.

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About this guide

Research data management (RDM) encompasses the processes applied throughout the lifecycle of a research project to guide the collection, documentation, storage, sharing, and preservation of research data. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of research data management at the University of Waterloo, including Waterloo's Institutional Strategy & Implementation Plan, information on best practices, learning resources and templates, and recommended data repositories and tools.

The Library can help students, faculty, and researchers with consultations, training, and data deposit support. Please email the Library's Research Data Management (RDM) team with your questions or to book an appointment.

New to RDM? Start here!

RDM services at the Library

Looking for guidance? Have a question? Connect with the RDM team at LibraryRDM@uwaterloo.ca to book a consultation or request training and presentations.

Consultation services

Data management guidance 

General data management support for any stage of the research process. This type of consultation will assist the planning, implementation, and optimization of active project workflows through RDM best practices. 

RDM project planning

Guidance on writing your data management plan (DMP) and how to plan for your discipline specific RDM needs. This type of consultation is ideal during the early stages of a research project, including the grant writing stage.

Repository selection

Assistance in evaluating and selecting an appropriate data repository for your discipline and project requirements.

Data deposit support

Instruction for preparing data for deposit, including guidance for choosing Creative Commons licenses. We provide comprehensive feedback and support for deposits in the University of Waterloo Dataverse in Borealis. Consultation is available for deposits in non-affiliated repositories.

Data storage selection

Recommendations for finding storage solutions for active projects involving collaboration, large data, data security, sensitive data, etc., in collaboration with Information Systems & Technology (IST) and faculty computing services. Guidance for selecting preservation options for mid-term and long-term accessibility and management. 

Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Creation  

Support for obtaining digital object identifiers for datasets to enhance their discoverability and citability.


Training and presentation services

Training and workshops

From file organization and data storage to RDM workflows and data deposits, we offer training for all skill levels and disciplines. 

Presentations

Adapted presentations for a broad range of disciplines that capture up-to-date practices for RDM in Canada.  

Research Data Management Librarian Team

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Sandra Keys (Librarian) and Anneliese Eber (Research Data Management Librarian)
 

Upcoming RDM Workshops

No upcoming workshops at this time. Keep an eye out for more in Winter 2025.

Previous workshop offerings can be viewed at this link: Past RDM Workshops

 

This guide is co-authored by Anneliese Eber, Vicky Chung, and Javier Fuentes Martinez, in collaboration with Sandra Keys. We invite you to email us your feedback on this work.