Today@Dal

Research is a complex and iterative process that requires careful planning, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. At Dalhousie Libraries, we provide expertise, tools, and support for every stage of the research lifecycle, ensuring researchers have access to the resources they need to manage and share their data effectively.

Planning your research
 

A well-structured Data Management Plan (DMP) is the foundation of effective research data management. It not only helps researchers stay organized but also ensures compliance with funder mandates.

Dalhousie’s Research Data Management (RDM) Team provides expert guidance on best practices for data management and supports the use of the DMP Assistant, a tool designed to help researchers create robust data management plans.

"Data management plans are foundational to good research data management. They don’t have to be overly complicated, but they do need to demonstrate some consideration of how data will be collected or created, organized and documented, stored and shared,"  says Louise Gillis, Research Data Management Librarian at Dal Libraries (pictured above right).

"Writing a plan allows a team to think through potential roadblocks and identify workarounds, allowing for a much smoother project rollout," she adds.

Collecting and creating data
 

Gathering high-quality data is essential for meaningful research. Dal Libraries provides support for both primary and secondary data collection.The Copyright Office helps researchers navigate the complexities of using existing data, such as social media posts or public datasets, ensuring ethical and legal compliance. Dalhousie also offers online survey services for graduate students, faculty, and staff looking to create surveys.

The Libraries maintain extensive data resources, including specialized research guides for data and statistics, health statistics, and more.

"Data is out there, if you just know how to go about finding it. I love teaching data discovery workshops and helping students, faculty, and researchers find the data they need for their projects," shares Julie Marcoux, Dal’s Data Librarian (shown left).

Analyzing and interpreting data
 

Once data is collected, researchers must process and analyze it. Dal Libraries supports this stage of the research lifecycle through Research Camp modules on using Excel for data management, as well as guidance on statistical software available for download by students, faculty, and staff.

To further help with analysis, the Libraries provide access to Sage Research Methods, which includes tools like "Which Stats Test," reference guides on statistical methods, and example datasets to help researchers refine their analytical skills.

Storing and preserving data
 

Effective data storage is essential for research integrity. The university’s Information Technology Services (ITS) provides general electronic storage guidelines, while the Research Data Management Team offers specialized support for long-term storage solutions. Dalhousie’s Dataverse at Borealis serves as a secure, multidisciplinary research data repository, making sure data remains accessible, well-organized, and preserved for future use.

Sharing and publishing research
  

Ensuring research data is properly documented, stored, and shared enhances its visibility and impact. The RDM Team advises on metadata standards and open formats to ensure data is easily retrievable and reusable. For those ready to publish, Dal’s Scholarly Communications team offers expert advice on open access, licensing, and academic publishing options.

For researchers working with geospatial data, the GIS Centre provides support in locating, analyzing, and visualizing data on maps, ensuring research findings are effectively communicated.

Love Data Week: Whose Data Is It, Anyway?
 

While the Libraries provide data support year-round, International Love Data Week (February 10-14) is the chance to promote good data practices through workshops and learning opportunities. This year’s theme, Whose Data Is It, Anyway?, explores data ownership, copyright, and licensing.

One highlight is a session presented by Jaclyn Chambers Page, Dalhousie’s Copyright Librarian, titled To Love Data is to Licence Data: A Primer on the Relationship Between Copyright and Data. This session will address key questions about data ownership, copyright considerations, and open licensing options. Other sessions include a workshop on using Google to find data, an introduction to Dalhousie’s new Active Data Storage Service, and a session on using ORCID to manage researcher profiles. View the full schedule of Dal’s Love Data Week sessions.

Dalhousie Libraries is committed to supporting researchers at every stage of the research lifecycle. Whether you're planning your study, collecting and analyzing data, ensuring secure storage, or sharing your findings, our expert staff and comprehensive resources are here to help.