Data Services

DMP Assistant (Portage)
 

The Portage Network has developed a tool called the DMP Assistant to help Canadian researchers prepare data management plans. The DMP Assistant is a bilingual tool. It will take you step-by-step through a number of key questions about data management. To get started:

1. Create an account: https://assistant.portagenetwork.ca/
2. Sign in and select a template. There is a growing number of templates available to use that are specific to study types.  The "Portage" template is an all-inclusive template that should address your data management requirements.
3. Answer the questions - examples and guidance are provided. You can share your plan so others can work on it also.
4. Export or print your plan, or revise and revisit the plan throughout your research.

If you want to learn more about the DMP Assistant consult the CIHR-IRSC DMP Assistant Training Module 

Creating a DMP using Portage’s DMP Templates 

Portage includes a series in institution specific or generic DMP templates.  It also has created a series discipline -  and methodology-specific  - Data Management Plan (DMP) Templates.  

Researchers at Brandon University can either select the Generic Template or a Discipline / Methodology Specific template.   Once you select one, the Template will provide appropriate questions and guidance as you undertake your DMP.  

Below are the templates:

• Data Management Plan Template: Advanced Research Computing
• Data Management Plan Template: Arts-Based Research
• Data Management Plan Template: CRDCN: Accessing Data from Research Data Centres
• Data Management Plan Template: CRDCN: Research Data Centres and External Analysis
• Data Management Plan Template: History and the Humanities
• Data Management Plan Template: Interdisciplinary Health Software/Technology Development
• Data Management Plan Template: Mixed Methods (Surveys & Qualitative Research)
• Data Management Plan Template: Neuroimaging in the Neurosciences
• Data Management Plan Template: Open Science Workflows
• Data Management Plan Template: Qualitative Health Sciences Research
• Data Management Plan Template: Studying Molecular Interactions
• Data Management Plan Template: Systematic Reviews
• Data Management Plan Template: Water Quality Research

These Templates are available on Portage Training Resources, under DMP Templates, as well as in the Portage Zenodo Community. They are also available and embedded for use and institutional customization in the DMP Assistant.

DMP Training Video
 

Watch the DMP Assistant Training Video provided by Portage.  It will give you a good introduction to the DMP Assistant.

Other Data Management Plan Tools

There are other free tools available to help draft a DMP. These tools have templates that reflect criteria to meet funding requirements, and can help design a plan that is relevant to data in your research domain:

• DMPonline (United Kingdom)
• DMPTool (United States)

The Portage Tool is the Canadian version of these tools.  It may be useful to consult others if funding is coming from another country’s granting agencies.  

Overall, you can expect the same types of questions.