Optometry Digital Literacy Toolkit

Understanding the nature of your data is important for understanding the most appropriate method(s) of storage.

This is particularly relevant for healthcare, which regularly uses sensitive patient-derived data. If working with this, consider whether your storage is sufficiently secured against inadvertent loss or public disclosure.

Use software that supports version control. If this is not possible, enact practices that ensure version control is maintained.

Using easily understood, consistent folder structures and filenames will help.

File formats should preferably be platform-agnostic and likely to have a long lifespan. Understanding which file formats are accepted and commonly in use across the field will help with this decision.

Use backup strategies that create backups in multiple destinations kept separate from each other. Automated backup creation is another example of best practice, as is the regular checking of backup files to ensure they are backing up as expected.

There may be legalities or policies determining the retention period for the data. It is important to identify these and plan for sufficient retention (and potential access within that period).

'Complete' is a little subjective. The project may generate enough interest that the data needs to be revisited, or perhaps a future research project will seek to make use of the data for another purpose. Building in access beyond the life of the initial research project may help down the line.

Clear definition of roles within the research team will help avoid everyone thinking it is "someone else's job".

Delayed access to data due to access being only available to a single person wastes time and is annoying. Losing access to the data entirely is a disaster.