How do I... Manage My Research Output

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Actively managing your data throughout the research process enables reproducibility, reusability and discovery, and can help maximize the impact of your research. 
Q's? email: SI-RDM at si dot edu

Download the complete Data Management Best Practices (PDF, 1.12MB)

Data Management Plans

A data management plan (DMP) documents how you will collect, record, and protect your data to ensure its future usability.  Here are tools and templates for creating DMPs, as well as a printable best practices document. 		detail of a photo showing people around a set of blueprints

Data Repositories

Guide to choosing a repository for your data, including lists of preferred repositories. 		detail: illustration of an open cabinet with books and porcelain

Describing Your Project : Citation Metadata

Adding descriptive information (metadata) when depositing and sharing your research data enables discoverability and makes it easier for others to cite and reuse your work.  		image of Owney the dog with his many postal badges pinned to his jacket.

Describing Your Data: Data Dictionaries

Providing detailed descriptions of your data in a data dictionary can enable correct interpretation, re-use, and better management of your data in the future. 		Color-block chart of ocean current velocities used here to indicate page contents are about data

Best Practices for Filenaming, Organizing, and Working with Data

Resources and guides to help organize files, name files, and create tabular data that is easy for both humans and machines to work with.  		Photograph of Jorena Pettway sorting peas inside her smokehouse by Marion Post W. Collection SAAM.

Best Practices for Storing, Archiving and Preserving Data

What to consider when making choices about storage and archiving in order to preserve data for future access, verification, and use. 		photo of specimen boxes in glass cabinets

SI Resources for Managing Data

Pointers to the many resources SI has to help manage research data including software & computing, collaboration tools, training, tutorials, storage and archiving, and one on one consultation services. 		drawing of the Smithsonian Institution "Castle" building

Smithsonian Research Online

Smithsonian Research Online is a program to collect and manage publication data for works created by Smithsonian staff and affiliates. It currently collects nearly 2500 publications per year.   		Smithsonian Research Online

Public Access Requirements for Federally Funded Research

Find out how Smithsonian employees with manuscripts (and related data) accepted for publication in peer reviewed fora can comply with SI’s Public Access Plan.  		Public Access at Smithsonian

Claim your identity with an ORCID

ORCID provides a [free] persistent digital identifier that distinguishes you from every other researcher and, through integration in key research workflows such as manuscript and grant submission, supports automated linkages between you and your professional activities ensuring that your work is recognized.  		ORCID