Anyone who receives NIH funding will need to know about what their new data sharing policy. Data documentation is something we all do in our own way, so we can understand the data we have collected, analyzed and published. So why is it important to NIH? As you may know, for years NIH has wanted to be able to show the output for all the research grants they have provided. Being transparent and accountable in your data collection will naturally provide a means for sharing what has been accomplished. This new NIH requirement will also mean your work is reproducible by others, and will give you an opportunity to share your knowledge beyond publication.
The data management and sharing plan will need to outline how scientific data and any accompanying metadata will be managed and shared, while also considering any potential restrictions or limitations. NIH will be training their program officers to be able to identify and support these efforts. As a researcher, you will be working to update your plan with your program officer as a living document. NIH will want to know how you plan to share what you have, even if you have negative findings and decide not to publish the results.
So, how can the library help with this big change? Not all data is treated the same and not all data will be openly shared. We will work with you and the various regulation offices on campus to take care of your investment. By developing a data management plan before you even ask for funding, you can figure out the cost and time commitment and build this into your grant proposal. The library is planning a series of learning opportunities this summer to help researchers with this new data sharing policy. We want to help you be successful.
Consultations available upon request with Lori Sloane