Unit 4 Learning Outcme 3: Explain the appropriate steps in finding and managing online resource

Learning Outcome 3

There are five major steps in finding and managing online resource. The first step is to identify the purpose that the data could fulfil. It means to consider the purpose or 'reuse case' that the data could serve beyond the research context in which it was created and collected. There are seven main reason that could justify retaining data for long-term access which is verification, futher analysis, building academic reputation, community resource development, futher publications, learning and teaching, and private use. 

The second step is to identify the data that must be kept. Generally the decision on what ‘must’ be kept will depend on the data creator’s priorities, i.e. on how valuable the data is for the purposes identified above, considering the costs of preparing it for long-term use.  But the decision will also need to account for legal, regulatory or policy compliance issues. At the point of deciding what to keep these mostly concern whether data should be publicly available or have restricted access, on what terms and conditions it should be accessible, and ensuring that risks of non-compliance are addressed.

The third step is to identify the data that should be kept. Bearing in mind the potential reuse purposes you identified earlier, consider the criteria to help decide which data should be retained and for what reason. As a general rule the data should be kept if you have already identified a compliance reason.

The fourth step is to weigh up the cost. This step helps consider the economic case for keeping the data. It is important to consider the data management cost impact on your research commitments and your organisation’s budgetary constraints.

The fifth step is to complete the data appraisal. The final step is to weigh up the value and any costs still to be incurred, considering the long-terms aims, the qualities you identified, the time and money already invested in it and the risks of being unable to prepare any ‘must keep’ data for preservation. Completing a table, may help you do this. The table can be used for communication with others involved in your research, or with support services in your institution or selected data repository.