To gain the most from your hard-earned data, they should be carefully managed at each phase of the research data lifecycle. Keep in mind that your data can continue to live long after you present at conferences or publish papers.
Data Creation. Obtain existing data when available. Take detailed notes about how you generate your data (units of measurement, variable codes, instrument settings, etc.). Organize your files. Use file formats that will allow you to most efficiently process your data. Store your data on a university server or other location(s) that provide regular back-ups.
Data Processing and Analysis. Check, validate, and clean your data. Take notes about this process.
Data Preservation and Sharing. Consider preserving and sharing your data by depositing them into an open access data repository or databank such as:
Preserve your data in formats that are most likely to survive changes in software and technology (i.e., uncompressed files, non-proprietary file formats such as .txt or .csv).
Data Re-Use. If you preserve and share your data, they can potentially be re-used in new ways by other researchers and thereby increase in value over time. Datasets deposited in data repositories or databanks can sometimes be cited just like journal articles, giving you more recognition for your work. Before depositing your data, make sure that your data are sufficiently described so that they can be understood by other researchers.