Facilitating data documentation through metadata: publication of a checklist
The Research Data College has published a checklist designed to support scientific projects in the management and traceability of their metadata throughout the data lifecycle. The requirements for reusability, transparency and compliance with FAIR principles are intensifying so having a simple, adaptable and comprehensive tool is a real asset for:
- Projects that need to incorporate the requirements of funders and data repositories from the planning stage onwards;
- Data producers and managers who want to document each step, from collection to archiving, without increasing their workload;
- Curators and archivists seeking a consistent overview to ensure the longevity of datasets.
Who is this document for?
The checklist is aimed at all stakeholders who may already be familiar with the principles of research data management. However it is sufficiently flexible to be adapted to the specific requirements of an institution, disciplinary community or funder.
How can it be used in practice?
- Download the document (in French) and read through the six phases to identify the actions that correspond to your project.
- Adapt the tracking table provided in the appendix to your working environment and define a naming convention.
- Include the mandatory metadata in the data management plan (DMP) right from the start of the project.
- Check that everything is complete before each deposit: the ‘Partage et diffusion’ (Sharing and dissemination) module provides a quick checklist.
- Archive the final metadata in the same repository or an archive repository (CINES, national archives, etc.) following the recommendations in phase 6.
In summary
This checklist is an operational tool that makes metadata documentation accessible, consistent and reusable. Whether you are a project manager, data manager or archivist, it guides you step by step – from planning to archiving – while complying with FAIR requirements and disciplinary standards.
Download the checklist (in French) now and start structuring your metadata!
