Document, document, document!
You probably won’t remember that weird thing that happened a week or month ago unless you write it down. Your documentation provides crucial context for your data. So whatever your preferred method of record keeping is, today is the day to make it a little bit better! Some general strategies that work for any format:
Minimum content for data re-use includes Introductory, Methodological, Data-Specific, and Sharing and Access Information. For detailed instructions on each category, please see this document on writing ReadMe metadata.
Things to avoid
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Using abbreviations or codes that aren’t defined.
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Using abbreviations or codes inconsistently.
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Forgetting to jot down what was unusual or what went wrong. This is usually the most important type of information when it comes to analysis and write up!
Tell Us
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How do you document your data?
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Show us your lab notebook, protocols, procedures manuals, readme files!
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Tell us what you love (or hate) about how you keep research records.
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Post your answer on Twitter (#LYD16, and tag @CUrdmsg), Instagram or Facebook (#LYD16)
Resources
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Readme files are a simple and low-tech way to start documenting your data better. Check out a sample readme.txt from IU.
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Cornell University RDMSG also has a guide with tips for using readme files
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Cornell University RDMSG has some tips for writing metadata
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Check out Kristin Briney’s post on taking better notes
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Talk to your local data experts, the Research Data Management Services Group
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Check out the resource board on Pinterest