This document outlines a modular approach for teaching research data management (RDM) skills. It provides examples of RDM modules focused on data organization for science, technology, engineering and humanities disciplines. Each module introduces key RDM concepts and includes hands-on activities. For example, the data organization module for science discusses file naming conventions and organizing physical samples. It involves a group activity to discuss better file organization strategies. The overall workshop is meant to be tailored depending on the audience and their needs.

1. OSC
Office of Scholarly CommunicationOffice of Scholarly Communication
Engaging Students with Research
Data Management
Claire Sewell
Research Support Skills Coordinator
Office of Scholarly Communication, Cambridge University
The Modular Approach
ces43@cam.ac.uk@ces43

2. OSC
• What is RDM?
• Teaching RDM at Cambridge
• Example module(s)
• Activity: Create your own workshop
• Group feedback
• Strategies for engagement
Workshop outline

3. OSC
Managing and sharing
the data produced by
research
Required by many
funders (& good
practice)
Links to library skill set
What is RDM?
!Data means different things to different people!
OSC Data Website

4. OSC
Research Data Facility:
RDM@Cambridge
• Programme of events and training
• Data repository
• Funder guidance
• Consultancy services
• Advocacy and
outreach
Research Data website

5. OSC Teaching RDM at Cambridge

6. OSC Modular approach
Icons via Iconfinder (Alfredo via CC-BY)

7. OSC Modular approach
Icons via Iconfinder (Alfredo via CC-BY)

8. OSC Example module

9. OSC
• Data backup
• File sharing
• Data organisation
• Sharing your data
• Funder policies
• Data management plans
Workshop structure

10. OSC Module example
Data Organisation
Science, Technology and
Engineering (STEM)

11. OSC
Organising your data

12. OSC How do you organise your data?
Vincent Gaggioli

13. OSC How do you organise your data?
Vincent Gaggioli

14. OSC How do you organise your data?
Vincent Gaggioli

15. OSC Which one is better and why?
Slido.com: #2088
A B

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Be consistent
Be meaningful to you and your colleagues
Enable you to find files easily
Would you be able to easily get hold of your
own files?
Your strategy needs to:

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Image (used with permission): http://www.vukovicnikola.info/folder-structure-for-research/
Develop a structure

18. OSC
Physical samples

19. OSC How do you organise physical samples?
Vincent Gaggioli

20. OSC Management of physical samples
Marta Teperek, PhD physical sample organisation

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Create maps of your samples
• can be simple Excel spreadsheets
• and keep them up to date!
Reference your samples:
• dates in notebooks
• supplier’s name/code
Add any relevant notes
Management of physical samples

22. OSC
File naming strategies

23. OSC
Image (used with permission): http://10pm.com/
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Do file naming conventions matter?

24. OSC Do file naming conventions matter?
In 3 years time would you know what these are?

25. OSC File naming conventions
http://www.data.cam.ac.uk/files/gdl_tilsdocnaming_v1_20090612.pdf

26. OSC File naming conventions
http://www.data.cam.ac.uk/files/gdl_tilsdocnaming_v1_20090612.pdf

27. OSC Module example
How to Organise
Information
Humanities, Arts and Social
Sciences (HASS)

28. OSC
Organising your data

29. OSC Which one is better and why?
Slido.com: #2088
A B

30. OSC
Be consistent
Be meaningful to you and your colleagues
Allow you to find files easily
Would you be able to easily get hold of your
own files?
Your strategy needs to:

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Mendeley
Zotero
Training is available via
departmental libraries
Reference managers

32. OSC
File naming strategies

33. OSC
Image (used with permission): http://10pm.com/
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Do file naming conventions matter?

34. OSC Do file naming conventions matter?
In 3 years time would you know what these are?

35. OSC File naming conventions
http://www.data.cam.ac.uk/files/gdl_tilsdocnaming_v1_20090612.pdf

36. OSC File naming conventions
http://www.data.cam.ac.uk/files/gdl_tilsdocnaming_v1_20090612.pdf

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Describing your information

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Create a small Lego
model – use all the
bricks
Write a description of
your model (NOT step
by step instructions)
Describing your information

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Swap your instructions
with another group
Can you recreate their
model?
Activity designed by Eleanor Barker, Joyce
Heckman and Kirsten Lamb
Describing your information

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End of the module

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• Same basic structure
• Changes in terminology
• Tailored examples
• Different activities for different disciplines
• Length of module
Things to note

42. OSC Activity: Create your own workshop

43. OSC
You have been asked
to develop an RDM
workshop for the
audience in your
packs
How will you use the
elements available to
create a bespoke
workshop?
Activity: Create your own workshop

44. OSC Feedback

45. OSC
• Talk to your audience about their needs
• Make the workshop meaningful
• Attainable level of learning
• Make learning a group activity
• Allow your audience to be an active
participant in shaping the workshop
• Make it fun!
Strategies
!One size DOES NOT fit all!

46. OSC Questions?

47. OSC Thank you!

48. OSC Image credits
Images via:
Pixabay
Pexels
Iconfinder
CC0 unless otherwise
noted