This article describes the Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP) Review service offered by the UNC Research Data Management Core (RDMC) and how to submit a request for this service.
What is a DMSP Review?
A DMSP review is a service provided by the Research Data Management Core for all UNC researchers. Our expert staff consider your proposed plan and provide feedback on the appropriateness and feasibility of implementing the plan. A DMSP review will focus advice on all the elements of the plan, depending on the funding agency:
data formats and types
documentation
metadata standards
software and tools
short-term storage
preservation workflow
trustworthy data repositories
identifiers
terms of use
access controls, and
roles and responsibilities of the research team.
Reviewers may also provide guidance for implementation, budgeting, and/or ethical and legal considerations.
Why Have a DMSP Review?
Going through a DMSP review ensures that your plan is complete, feasible, and compliant with funder requirements and best practices. Judicious data management planning demonstrates to funders that the research team has carefully considered data integrity, security, and policies in how they will manage and share their data.
Learn more about DMSP Review Service
How to Get a DMSP Review?
UNC researchers can request an optional DMSP Review through the RDMC Help Center. RDMC staff will review your plan for completeness, appropriateness, and compliance. You will receive feedback with recommendations for improving your plan and advice on implementation.
If you are interested in getting a DSMP review from RDMC:
Create your DMSP in the DMPTool: https://dmptool.org
Submit a DMSP Review request via our Help Center
RDMC staff require at least three weeks for a Full Review. Any DMSP review request submitted with less than three weeks will be provided an Express Review. Requests submitted with less than 5 business days before the funder submission deadline will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis pending staff availability.
What Materials are Needed for a DMSP Review?
For a thorough review of your DMSP, it is helpful to give the reviewer as much information as possible to assess your proposed data management and sharing plans. At a minimum, RDMC requires the following:
Draft proposal narrative, especially data collection section
Funding call for proposals URL
Funder’s data management and sharing policy or requirements
Draft DMSP in the DMPTool.
Example of a DMSP Review Request
Here is an example of what a completed DMSP review request form should include. All required documents must be attached to the submission form for RDMC staff to schedule the review. Any request submitted with missing documentation will be closed with no further action taken toward a review until the request is resubmitted with all required documentation.
How to Address Feedback From a DMSP Review?
Once your DMSP review is complete, you will receive feedback on how to improve your proposed data management and sharing within the Comments section of the DMPTool. It is your responsibility to consider and address the comments as appropriate for your proposed data.
We recommend reviewing our Knowledge Base to assist you in responding to specific feedback.
