Introduction
1. Preparing a DMP
2. Documenting and Organizing Data
3. Storing Data and Data Security
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Benefits of Good File Management

Your research data files and folders need to be named and organised in a systematic way so that they are both identifiable and accessible to yourself and other (future) users. The benefits of consistent data file naming are:

  • Data files are distinguishable from each other;
  • Data file naming prevents confusion;
  • Data files are easier to locate and browse;
  • Data files can be retrieved not only by the creator but by other users;
  • Data files are sorted in a logical sequence;
  • Data files are not accidentally overwritten or deleted;
  • Different versions of data files can be identified;
  • If data files are moved to another storage platform their names will retain useful context.

Work through the following four best practices for organising your file naming and consider how you could apply these practices to your own (data) files.