Help your future self – write it down!
GOOD PRACTICE
Document, document, document! You probably won’t remember that weird thing that happened yesterday unless you write it down. Your documentation provides crucial context for your data. So whatever your preferred method of record keeping is, today is the day to make it a little bit better! Some general strategies that work for any format:
- Be clear, concise, and consistent.
- Write legibly.
- Number pages.
- Date everything, use a standard format (ex: YYYYMMDD).
- Try to organize information in a logical and consistent way.
- Define your assumptions, parameters, codes, abbreviations, etc.
- If documentation is scattered across more than one place or file (e.g., protocols & lab notebook), remind yourself of the file names and where those files are located.
- Review your notes regularly and keep them current.
- Keep all of your notes for at least 7 years after the project is completed.
Things to Avoid
- Writing illegibly.
- Using abbreviations or codes that aren’t defined.
- Using abbreviations or codes inconsistently.
- Forgetting to jot down what was unusual or what went wrong. This is usually the most important type of information when it comes to analysis and write up!
TODAY’S ACTIVITY
Take a few minutes to think about how you document your data. What’s missing? Where are the gaps?
If your documentation could be better, try out some of these strategies and tools.
- Readme files are a simple and low-tech way to start documenting your data better. Check out the sample readme.txt (filename = readme_template.txt) from IU.
- Cornell University RDMSG also has a guide with tips for using readme files
- Check out Kristin Briney’s post on taking better notes
- Cornell University RDMSG has some tips for writing metadata
- Data dictionaries are an easy way to document spreadsheets. Check out some examples on the Pinterest resource board.
Tell Us
How do you document your data? Show us your lab notebook, protocols, procedures manuals, readme files! Tell us what you love (or hate) about how you keep research records.
Twitter: #LYD16 or @IandPangurBan
Instagram: #LYD16
Facebook: #LYD16
Resources
Check out the resource board & the changing face of data on Pinterest
Talk to your local library’s data experts, or check out their sites (listed on the Home page).3