Managing Research Data

Data ManagerSensitive Data Tool

What is research data?

Research data is a term used to describe a wide selection of different content developed and used throughout a research project. All disciplines use and produce research data. 

Below are some examples of the different types of research data you may use or create during your research.

This includes:

  • any responses from focus groups, surveys, and questionnaires
  • laboratory notebooks
  • field notebooks
  • interview transcripts

This includes:

  • sound recordings – Including music and interview recordings
  • video recordings
  • photographs
  • graphs
  • diagrams
  • maps

This includes:

  • results from experiments
  • code for data analysis
  • code for data creation
  • instrument data
  • sensor generated data

This includes:

  • plant samples
  • shells
  • artefacts from an archaeological dig
  • biological samples
  • slides

This includes:

  • Draft of creative written works
  • Sheet music prepared for a performance
  • Sketches created before a final visual piece is created.

Key Resources for Working with Research Data

Creating and Maintaining a Data Management Plan using Data Manager

Find out more about using Data Manager, CQUniversity's system for creating Data Management Plans and publishing research datasets.

Working with Sensitive Data

Learn more about how to manage and identify sensitive data used in your research projects.

Organising and Storing Data

Discover more about how to properly store your data and best practices for organising and naming your data for ease of use throughout your project and beyond.

Useful Further Reading

Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) is committed to making Australian research data collections more valuable by managing, connecting, enabling discovery and supporting the reuse of this data.

The UK Data Services is not only the UK’s primary source of publicly available datasets, but it also has an in-depth learning hub for all aspects of working with research data.