4.0 About: How to structure and document research data

In this section you will learn how to best structure your dataset into files and folders, and what you should keep in mind when naming your files and folders. You will also learn how to document a dataset, and why good documentation is vital for the quality and reusability of a dataset.

After working through this section, you should be able to:

• Understand how to structure and document research data in line with good academic practice.
• Explain why good structuring and good documentation of research data is important.
• Demonstrate how to organise the data collected or generated in files and folders, in accordance with good practice.
• Distinguish between good and less good file and folder names.
• Demonstrate how to identify file versions and their characteristics. Identify what characterises preferred file formats, compared to non-preferred formats.
• Explain the role of the Readme file  in a dataset.
• Demonstrate how to write a good Readme file.