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UK Data Service Logo

Best practices for documenting social sciences research data

10 Jun 2025 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Online
Training
Research data management
Workshop

Data documentation is essential to make sure that well-organised and well-documented research data can be produced from our research projects. This introductory workshop offers a comprehensive overview of documentation practices tailored to various data types, most specifically primary and secondary data, with a focus on survey data and transcript data. The session emphasises the importance of good data management in enhancing research integrity and optimising data for future use.

In this session we will explore the following:

  • The critical role of data documentation in research integrity and data sharing, for both current and future research projects.
  • How to develop comprehensive documentation for primary and secondary data, incorporating practical examples and templates that can be adapted to your projects.
  • An overview of metadata: what it is, its importance in making your data discoverable and understandable, and the standards to follow for effective data sharing.

During this free 90-minute online workshop, participants will learn the foundational principles and practical strategies for creating robust data documentation that enhances the accessibility, usability, and longevity of research data.

The workshop includes live exercises and will conclude with a dedicated Q&A session.

Presenter: Maureen Haaker, UK Data Service

Level: Introductory

Experience/knowledge required: Basic understanding of research methods is recommended but not required

Target audience: Academic and non-academic data professionals such as researchers, academic and professional services staff, data managers, data stewards and others keen on improving their data documentation practices

This event will be livestreamed on our UK Data Service YouTube channel but the chat will be disabled. By registering and attending the Zoom event you will be able to ask questions and interact.

Recordings of UK Data Service events are made available on our YouTube channel and, together with the slides, on our past events pages soon after the event has taken place.

This event is part of our UK Data Service introductory training series: Spring 2025