UNBC Research Data Management & Data Management Planning
Research Data Management (RDM) refers to the organization, collection, storage, documentation, preservation, and dissemination of the research data life cycle. A Data Management Plan (DMP) refers to a formal document that describes how research data will be managed throughout the research project, including the planning of data collection, documentation, storage and backup, preservation, sharing and reuse, and protection of sensitive data. A good data management plan will cover all sections of the research data lifecycle, empowering researchers to ensure consistency across all members of the research team, identify any gaps in current practices, and ensure that data remains useable over the course of their research careers.
More information on UNBC's RDM policies can be found in UNBC's Institutional Research Data Management Strategy, developed in accordance with Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy and hosted through UNBC's Library Services.
Approved Software at UNBC
Software which has been reviewed by Information Technology Services for privacy, security, support and contractual terms and conditions can be located on the ITS Approved Software List.
Data transfer
With the introduction of Office 365 and OneDrive for all UNBC accounts, more file transfer options are available. To transfer research data pertaining to research involving humans, it is recommended by UNBC Information Technology Services that faculty, staff and students use Microsoft One Drive.
Please note this change to Office 365 coincides with the de-commissioning of all G:Drive & H:Drive folders as of September 2025. Best practices and training is available for researchers, faculty and staff from the UNBC Community.
Surveys
Before using any survey tool, please take the time to carefully read the complete use terms and support resources. You are required to take all necessary precautions to secure your workstation in order to protect it from unauthorized users and use.
Microsoft Forms is included with the UNBC Microsoft Office 365 licensing and is available for students, faculty and staff. Forms can be used to create customized quizzes, polls and surveys and is recommended for teaching and administrative use. For more information to get started please see the ITS Knowledge Base article.
SurveyMonkey is also available and to be used for Research purposes only. SurveyMonkey is fully compliant with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Data loaded into or collected through UNBC Enterprise accounts is hosted on the Canadian server. Please contact the Service Desk to request an account.
If you are unsure if the data you are collecting will require a Privacy Impact Assessment, please contact privacy@unbc.ca
For the most up-to-date information on surveys provided by UNBC Information Technology Services, please check here.
Social Media in Research Recruitment
TCPS 2 on whether Research using Social Media Platforms require Research Ethics Board Review.
Fraudulent Participants
Guidelines on Fraudulent Participants for researchers who find themselves engaged with participants and malicious elements (e.g. bots) who appear to have falsified their eligibility in order to receive remuneration from participating in a study.
PRE Crowdsourcing Responses
TCPS 2 on the Use of Crowdsourcing Platforms for Recruitment in Research.