Research Data Management (RDM) is increasing its presence in the lifecycle of data-driven investigations. To address the RDM issues experts in ELIXIR have combined forces to build an online toolkit called the RDMkit. The RDMkit is a web-based guide containing good data management practices designed to guide life scientists in their efforts to better manage their research data following the FAIR Principles. Developed and managed by people who work every day with life science data, the RDMkit has guidelines, information and pointers to help you with problems throughout the life cycle of data.
Information on the RDMkit is organised into various sections (e.g. Data life cycle, Your role, Your Domain, Your tasks) which are interconnected but can be browsed independently. Each section contains a description of the topic, including considerations, possible solutions, as well as a table of relevant tools and resources linked to entries in the ELIXIR registries (bio.tools, FAIRsharing, TeSS). The tools and resources mentioned in each section are also presented as a searchable table in a separate section called, “All tools and resources”. Finally, RDMkit also features Tool Assemblies, illustrating examples of combining tools to address data management tasks across several stages of the RDM life cycle.
The RDMkit’s underlying technical infrastructure has been established using Github and comprehensive community contribution and editorial processes have been put in place. All content goes through a rigorous editorial process before it is made available on the website with regular updates being carried out. Full credit is given to the contributors and are acknowledged at the bottom of the page they contributed.
The RDMKit is community driven and such welcomes contributions, and in particular contributions to resources for new disciplines which will increase the reach of the project. Contributors will be acknowledged on the website, and you can find out how to get involved here.
Contributors from ELIXIR-UK
Carole Goble – University of Manchester – LEAD
Munazah Andrabi – University of Manchester – EDITOR
Robert Andrews – University of Cardiff
Jean-Marie Burel – University of Dundee
Alexia Cardona – University of Cambridge
David Markham – Newcastle University
Josh Moore – University of Dundee
Nick Juty – University of Manchester
Peter McQuilton – Oxford University
Nicola Soranzo – Earlham Institute
Stian Soiland-Reyes – University of Manchester
Anil Wipat – Newcastle University
Alan Williams – University of Manchester