Research Data

‘The recorded factual material commonly accepted in the scientific/research community as necessary to validate research findings’ - EPSRC

Research Data can exist in a variety formats: print, digital & types: statistics; experimental data; interview records. Essentially the building-blocks underpinning your work, study and research.

The University of Northampton’s Research Data Management Policy provides guidance and requirements for all our staff to ensure that research data is managed legally and ethically.

It is required that research data that is generated and used by University researchers will be managed to a high standard throughout the research data lifecycle as part of the University’s commitment to research excellence. The definition of research data for the purpose of this policy is digital or analogue information that is collected, observed, created or reused to produce, validate and enrich research findings and conclusions.

“In accordance with the recommendations of UKRI, the University expects researchers to:

• Deposit the underlying data in Pure as a dataset (institutional repository)
• Keep clear and accurate records of research procedures followed and results obtained
• Hold records securely in paper or electronic form
• Make relevant primary data and research evidence accessible for others (norm of 10 years) (through pure and arkivum).
• Manage data according to research funder’s data policy, best ethical practice and adhering to all relevant legislation
• A persistent identifier (e.g., DOI), should be used to link any research outputs related to publications and projects.
• Research articles must contain a data statement indicating both the location of any supporting research data and the level of “openness” to that data.
• Some publishers now require that this information is contained in the article prior to accepting the article for publication (e.g., PLOS) – you should check the data sharing policy of any intended journal before you submit for an article for publication.

The University supports the broad global consensus that publicly funded research data should be made openly available as soon as possible and with as few restrictions as necessary. Many UK and international funders have embraced FAIR principles for data sharing (making data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable). FAIR acknowledges legitimate reasons for restricting access to data, such as confidentiality concerns. Principal Investigators/Researchers and research students should consider how they can best make their data FAIR in their Data Management Plans.