Data management principles and practices

¶ … Management

The objective of this study is to read the case study and to answer the questions of: (1) What are some possible consequences if data is mismanaged? (2) In the case of Dr. Sears, what could have been done to avoid losing the data? And (3) What are the best practices for sharing data during collaborations?

(1) Possible Consequences if Data is Mismanaged

Mismanagement of data results in loss of data and many times the data is no longer retrievable and forever lost. Data management requires methodological documentation in a systematic manner that is recorded in more than one form and in more than one location. Finally, data should be available to more than one actor to ensure that the data will be available in the event that, such as in the case of Dr. Sears, someone dies and the data in the possession of that individual is lost.

(2) What Could Dr. Sears Have Done to Avoid Losing Data?

Dr. Sears could have shared his data with another actor or could have recorded the data in more than one location such as on his computer following with backup copies that the NIH was in possession of in order to avoid the loss of this important data in the study that was in the possession of Dr. Sears.

(3) Best Practices for Sharing Data During Collaborations

The best practices for sharing information is reported to have been identified by Henry Oldenburg, the secretary of the Royal Society of London by indicating that publication in learned journals be the method for publishing a finding. Prior to publication, should someone else exploit material that is unpublished it is considered as stealing of intellectual property. However, it is reported that "many scientist are generous in discussing their preliminary theories or results with colleagues, and some even provide copies of raw data to others to public disclosure to facilitate related work." (Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, 1995, p.10)