The GFBio Data Management Plan Tool (DMP Tool)

The GFBio DMP Tool (https://dmp.gfbio.org/) provides an intuitive platform for creating detailed Data Management Plans.

It contains relevant questions on data management planning in the biodiversity, ecological, and environmental domain, and it is based on the DFG Guidelines on the Handling of Research Data in Biodiversity Research.

Major features of the GFBio's DMP Tool

• Users answer the questionnaire about data management for their research project.

• Users can download the output as a structured PDF file or if they have a GFBio account, they can save it in their records.

• Upon the user's request, the DMP support begins: the DMP officers at GFBio review the user's DMP request and create an elaborated DMP with the researcher.

• Users can also request free personal Research Data Managaement support from the experts.

Steps to create a DMP with the GFBio DMP Tool

Account Access

Visit the GFBio DMP Tool website: https://www.gfbio.org/plan/

Create an account (free of charge) to save and manage your DMPs. This allows you to archive your entries, seek personal assistance, and review your DMP as your project advances.

You can also use the tool without an account, however, this excludes saving continuing later and individual support during the process.

Creating a new DMP

After logging in, initiate the creation of a new DMP. The DMP Tool will guide you through a sequence of questions categorized into five sections:

1. General Project Information: Includes project title, description, and funding sources.
2. Data Collection: Defines data typess, formats, and methodologies.
3. Documentation and Metadata: Developes data documentation strategies and metadata protocols.
4. Ethics and Legal Compliance: Addresses ethical issues, data privacy, and legal responsibilities.
5. Preservation and sharing: Refers to Data Storage, Backup, Archiving, and Sharing Strategies.

General project information

Begin by providing basic information about your project, including:

• Project Title
• Contact person
• Project Description
• Financial resource information

Data collection

Describe the data you wish to collect or generate:

• Data types (e.g., observational, experimental, molecular, multimedia, etc)
• Data formats (e.g. .csv; .txt; .fastq; .xlsx; .pdf)
• Expected data volume
• Methods and tools for data collection
  

Documentation and Metadata

Describe the approach for documenting your data.

• Metadata standards that will be implemented
• Tools for creating metadata
• Documenting procedures for data analysis

Ethics and legal issues

Examine the ethical and legal ramifications.

• Data protection protocols
• Copyright and licensing
• Ethical issues (if applicable)

Preservation and Sharing

Describe your long-term data preservation and distribution strategies:

• Planned data storage
• Long-term preservation plan (archiving)
• Methods and platforms for data sharing
• Access restrictions (if appropriate)

Review and Finalize the DMP

Upon completing the questionary, cross-check your responses to the questions for completeness and accuracy before downloading your DMP as a PDF document.

Please note that the standard PDF generated from the GFBio DMP Tool is a provisional document for your guidance. We recommended that you seek personal DMP assistance from GFBio to enhance your plan before submitting it as a complement to your funding proposal.

The assistance will provide you with a GFBio-approved DMP.