Organizing Data Management
Organizing data is about keeping research materials and files in a way that makes them easy to locate and understand. This includes labeling and arranging files to make them easy to locate while ensuring that all files and materials that are closely related are linked in a meaningful way, and ensuring that metadata and descriptions are clearly connected to and associated with the files.
When files are stored in a folder hierarchy or as individual files, it is essential to think through the way they will be organized and labeled. It is essential to select the same naming system for the files. This will allow you to identify all your materials and data at a later time. A README or short text file can be added to the folder.
It is essential to map out the hierarchy of folders and the naming conventions prior starting any project. These guidelines should be documented and shared with colleagues and can be incorporated into the on-boarding documents for new members of an research team.
A good data governance system will save a company money by increasing transparency and reducing wastage. Data errors can be costly for businesses. It is estimated that incomplete or inaccurate data costs US companies between 15 and 25% of their annual revenue. Implementing reliable software that assists in the creation, cataloging and governance of data can help to alleviate these issues.