Use case: How a Data Management Plan supported a more systematic approach to research data
Use case: How a Data Management Plan supported a more systematic approach to research data
How do you work systematically with data in a research project involving a cohort of 30,000 participants?
For PhD fellow David Vadsholt from Steno Diabetes Center North, affiliated with the Department of Clinical Medicine at Aalborg University, working with a data management plan (DMP) has contributed to a more structured reflection on the types of data used in his project and how they are handled throughout the research process.
A DMP describes how research data will be collected, organised, stored, documented and potentially shared or reused during and after a research project.
In his PhD project, DP-Next, David focuses on people aged 40–50 with prediabetes. More specifically, he investigates differences within this group to better understand why some people are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while others remain stable or return to normal blood sugar levels.
The project is based on the establishment of a new cohort of 30,000 participants across Denmark. The cohort includes 12,000 individuals with prediabetes, from which 1,000 participants will be enrolled into a detailed clinical cohort. By identifying easily accessible biomarkers, the project aims to support earlier detection, better risk assessment and more targeted prevention.
Reflecting on the full data management process
In a research project involving health-related data and many participants, data handling is an important part of the research process. For David, working with a DMP has helped create a clearer framework for thinking through the different steps involved.
Working with a DMP has made me reflect more systematically on the type of data I work with. It has also helped me think through the entire data management process – from collection and analysis to storage and later use.
The process also increased his awareness of correct data handling and the reasoning behind the choices made throughout the research process.
It has increased my awareness of correct data handling and the background for the choices being made.
David’s experience with creating a DMP comes from his participation in CLAAUDIA’s PhD course on data management, where participants work with a data management plan for their own research project as part of the course. The course also gave him a better basic understanding of what a data management plan is and how it can be used in practice.
"It has made the work with DMPs more concrete and tangible."
Get support with your data management plan
At CLAAUDIA, we support researchers at Aalborg University with both practical guidance and feedback throughout the data management planning (DMP) process.
For all questions and requests, please contact us through the service portal here.