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Research data
DFG-Guidelines
The DFG guidelines for dealing with research data and information can be found at the DFG.
Contact person
If you have questions please feel free to contact the Research Consultants
Research data are essential in research. The variety of data corresponds to the variety of different disciplines, research interests and methods. Research data are for example measuring data, laboratory data, audiovisual information, text, survey data, objects from collections or samples independent of the state of the research project. Methodical testing procedures such as questionnaires, software and simulations are part of research and therefore should be taken under the term of research data too. The long-term storage and accessibility of research data is essential for the complete traceability and the quality of research results opening new research areas and building bridges to new research questions.
While planning a research project researchers should consider, if and which research data of the project are relevant for further research and how these research data can be made available to other scientists. In the research proposal, the applicants should explain which research data will arise, be generated and evaluated.
Research data should be made accessible as fast as possible unless rights of third parties (in particular privacy or intellectual property) hinder it.
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
The subsequent use of research data plays an important role in almost all fields of science. At the same time there are growing differences between the disciplines concerning the state of discussions and the available infrastructures. To improve the planning of research projects, the DFG has collected information for dealing with research data: a directory of research data repositories. The DFG also provides an overview of existing and quality-assured research infrastructures and lists subject-specific recommendations for the use of research data.
