Institut für Theoretische Physik

RDM

Research Data Management in DFG Research Unit FOR 5522

Our Research Unit emphasizes a responsible handling and documentation of research data. Research data are produced in practically all our projects, be it in the form of experimental or numerical data. The figure illustrates the standard role and flow of data in our RU.

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We distinguish between raw data, supplementary processed data and published processed data. Published processed data are those data sets that are contained in publications. Supplementary processed data are data sets that are usually not shown in publications and could be, e.g., convergence tests of numerical methods, benchmarks, data for code verification etc. In our RU, the scientific interactions rely on the joint interpretation of processed data. Whenever an exchange of data is required, then platforms provided by the participating institutions are used (e.g., cloud services, gitlab.gwdg.de)

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Central Measures

We are primarily committed to the following standards:
  • Per default, we make published processed data accessible in publicly accessible repositories such as Zenodo, local data repositories (e.g. GRO.data), or on the arXiv in non-proprietary data formats.
  • Per default, our publications contain a data availability statement and crossreference the location of publicly available data including a DOI.
  • Per default, we make complex software used for producing / processing data available in suitable repositories (e.g., Zenodo or in public gitlab instances).
  • We describe our data with scientific metadata in its scientific context by following the standards of the relevant scientific disciplines.
  • All experimental teams use similar data formats and metadata standards.
  • The RU organizes frequent RDM training events for its members.
  • All projects implement a lab-book standard, with details depending on the specific demands of the relevant scientific disciplines.
  • Decisions on the publication of data and software and the location are made by the authors of a given publication. Third-party interests (e.g., by authors who are not FOR 5522 members) and competitive interests of early-career researchers are taken into consideration. Decisions are documented (e.g., in the labbooks for a given publication).
The RDM activities of the RU are coordinated by a member of the Steering Committe, currently Prof. Markus Heyl, Augsburg. We are supported by local RDM infrastructure, and expert teams at all participating institutions, and eResearch Alliance.

RDM related activities in FOR 5522

  • Planned: Joint workshop with FOR 5249 and FOR 5413: Developing community wide standards
  • Upcoming: PhD School, Göttingen 2024: RDM Session with Introduction to RDM by eResearch Alliance and presentation of Best-Practice examples from the RU
  • Upcoming: Joint RDM training for members of FOR 5522, RTG and CRC 1073 June 13, 2024, Göttingen, by eResearch Alliance
  • Kick-Off Meeting, Dresden 2023: Introduction to RDM and RDM Measures in FOR 5522 by Markus Heyl and Christian Gross