Overview & Getting Started

🚀 In this section, we’ll walk you through:

• What an RDMP is (and isn’t) and why it's important
• What you'll need to get started
• How to create your RDMP using the Research Data JCU platform

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What is an RDMP and Why Do I Need One?

Your RDMP is a practical tool that helps you plan how your research data will be created, stored, accessed, and shared—during your project and beyond. It acts as a blueprint linking your research to the data it generates.

It’s a living document, updated as your project evolves—for example, when new team members join, storage needs change, or you receive ethics approval or funding.

How It Fits into the Bigger Picture

At JCU, your RDMP supports research data across the full research data lifecycle:

The Research Data Management Plan (RDMP) is more than a form—it helps you think through how data will be handled at every stage of your research:

• Discover and reuse data: If you're using existing data, your RDMP prompts you to consider licensing, attribution, ethical use, and data-sharing agreements.
• Plan: Your RDMP is the cornerstone of good data management. It helps identify key decisions early.
• Manage active data: The RDMP supports day-to-day data handling and can be updated throughout the project.
• Archive and Publish: Planning ahead makes it easier to archive and share your data later. See the Archiving and Publishing Guide.

Why Create an RDMP?

✴️ To meet ethics and funding requirements
Required by the National Statement, JCU HREC, and most funders (e.g. ARC—by project commencement).

✴️ To support ethics, protocols, or grant applications
Export your RDMP as a PDF and attach it to submissions

✴️ To meet HDR milestones
An RDMP is mandatory for Confirmation of Candidature at JCU.

✴️ To reduce risk
Helps prevent data loss, misuse, and ethical or legal breaches.

✴️ To save time and support integrity
Makes it easier to manage and prepare your data for reuse.

✴️ To streamline archiving
Pre-fills project metadata into your Data Record.

What You’ll Need to Create Your RDMP

Getting started on your RDMP can be quick—just 10–15 minutes—but allow up to 30–60 minutes if you’re completing it in full, for example for ethics or funding applications.

You don’t need everything upfront. You’re not committing to fixed answers—you’re recording your current plans, which you can refine as needed.

Helpful information to gather beforehand:

• Project title
• Description outlining the purpose and goals of your research
  💡 Tip: You can often copy this (and your methods) from your proposal!
• Fields of Research (FoR) and Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) codes.
• Funding or contract details— including any data-sharing agreements
• Data collection methods (even if still being finalised)
• Software or tools you plan to use

Using the Research Data JCU Platform

You’ll use the Research Data JCU platform to create a RDMP and a Data Record—this guide covers both:

• How to login
• How to Create a RDMP

🔍 Not sure how a RDMP is different from a Data Record? Here's a quick comparison:

RDMPs vs. Data Records: What's the Difference?

❓Troubleshooting Guide

Can’t see existing records?

This sometimes happens when your student identity transitions to a staff account—a common occurrence with short-term contracts. It's an easy fix, but we know it’s frustrating.

✉️ Email: researchdata@jcu.edu.au and we’ll sort it out quickly.

Trouble saving your RDMP or Data Record?

You must complete the following fields before saving:

• Project Name (Project tab for RDMP, Why? tab for Data Record)
• Lead Investigator (People tab for RDMP, Who? tab for Data Record)
• Data sensitivity question (RDMP only—new)

If you see an incomplete error message, double-check these fields.

Still stuck? Don’t worry—just contact the Research Data team and we’ll help.

How to login:

• Click on Research Data JCU
• Select the (green) centre tile, Access Research Data JCU
• First time users will be  invited to Login to Federated Services (AAF)
• Select James Cook University as your organisation
• You will be presented with the JCU single-sign on screens,  log in as usual.

Once logged in, the platform includes built-in help text (click on the ? icon) and prompts to guide you through each metadata field.

Access varies by role—some have edit access, others can only view the record.
🔗 Review roles and access permissions information for full details.

How to Create a RDMP:

• Select PLAN and then CREATE RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT PLAN (RDMP) from the menu, OR
• Select Create Research Data Management Plan (RDMP) from the Plan tile

🔗 Creating a RDMP (with screenshots)
(Visit this page for a visual guide and screenshots, if you need additional assistance)

When you're ready to archive completed data you can easily create a Data Record from your RDMP! Visit this page in the Archiving and Publishing Guide for instructions.

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