Basics of Research Data Management 1 – 2 ECTS
The course introduces the fundamentals of research data management and data management planning. The learning material is organised into chapters covering key aspects of data management, including:
- legislation and ethical principles (e.g. contracts, copyright and access rights related to research data, the handling of personal data)
- storing and processing of research data during the research (e.g. University of Eastern Finland digital services, other storage solutions and services, data security)
- documentation and description (including creating and publishing metadata)
- possibilities and obligations related to sharing and opening research data
- preserving and disposing of research data after the research project
- writing a data management plan (DMP) using the DMPTuuli tool.
An optional additional module (1 ECTS) offers a deeper exploration of documentation and data description practices during the research project, as well as in connection with publishing or opening research data and/or their metadata.
Learning objectives
After completing the course, you can
- explain and exemplify what good research data management is and why it is important
- illustrate good and responsible data management practices and apply those to your own research data
- apply your own organization’s and other relevant data management guidelines to your own research data
- write a data management plan (DMP) as part of the research plan and update it.
How to use this learning material
This learning material has been produced in both English and Finnish. You can change the language at the upper navigation panel (English/Suomi). The links open in a new tab.
Themes of research data management in the context of open science are covered in the Basics of Open and Responsible Science -online course (8000EO42, 2 ECTS). Consider taking this course as well.
NB: This course partly equals the research data module that was part of 8022020 Research Information Retrieval and Management course (2 ECTS, 2017 – 2021).
1. Basics of Research Data Management course (KI00EL15-3002) learning material
- Register for the course in Peppi. Registration is open from 3 August 2026 to 26 April 2027.
- The course is available from 1 September 2026 to 3 May 2027.
- Follow the instructions Moodle.
- Complete the assignments, including writing a data management in Moodle.
2. Self-directed study (without study credits)
You can go through the learning material, check out the links for further reading and make notes. There are tips and questions along the way that are good to consider from your own point of view.
If you have not yet written a data management plan, you might write one with the help of this study material. If you already have a data management plan, you can update it while going through the material. Don’t forget the useful DMPTuuli-tool for writing a DMP.
Creators and license of the study material
This work, which was originally created by Kaisa Hartikainen and Anne Karhapää (2020) (University of Eastern Finland), is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The work was updated by
- Helena Jäntti, Taisa Sallinen, Manna Satama, Niina Nurmi, 2022, University of Eastern Finland
- Minna Rahnasto-Rilla and Manna Satama, 2023, University of Eastern Finland
- Minna Rahnasto-Rilla, Manna Satama and Teemu Järvinen, 2024, University of Eastern Finland
- Manna Satama, 2026, University of Eastern Finland
Next: 1. Introduction to research data management