Researchers are usually directly responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive RDM as part of their research. As part of a research project, they are familiarized with a large number of additional requirements for the RDM in addition to the actual research. The RDM can be carried out not only as an additional task, but also as an added value alongside the research. RDM content is integrated into the actual research process in various project phases.
For this purpose, we have developed a process-oriented reference model as part of Base Service S-1, which integrates RDM into the research process and project schedule. Starting with data management planning during project planning through to data archiving at the end of the project, the reference model shows relevant RDM activities in a phase-oriented manner for the research process of a research project.
In addition to the development of the reference model, a maturity level-based allocation of activities has been undertaken in order to improve the RDM in the research projects step by step and in a successive manner. To this end, the activities were assigned to the 5 maturity levels of the NFDI4Ing maturity model. This provides a classification of the current status and the activities already implemented, as well as an outlook for improvements and further activities.
As part of a collaborative research center, the models for data management planning were applied retrospectively with the development of data management plans for individual subprojects. The current status of the CRC provides for a data management plan for each sub-project, which can be filled out in the CRC’s RDM system. The CRC has developed a questionnaire based on the NFDI4ING template with research-specific extensions. In this way, community content is reused and expanded in a research-specific way (stage 3). The next steps would be to ensure that the DMP content is complete, up-to-date and relevant (stage 4). The SFB’s RDM team was thus able to provide the basis for a defined data management plan; the implementation and completion of the plans is then the responsibility of each sub-project and its researchers.
These results will be presented and published at the upcoming ICED Conference 2025 of the Design Society in Dallas, Texas. The results will also be converted into an interactive html format and added to the NFDI4ING maturity model documentation.
Max Leo Wawer (Leibniz University Hannover), 0000-0003-3806-271X
