Successful research funding depends on very good research data management. This is demonstrated by the introductory workshop at the HSZG.
In mid-March 2026, the workshop "Introduction to research data management" took place at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) in the Zittau CELSIUZ. Successful research funding also depends on very good research data management.
The amount and complexity of scientific data is constantly increasing in day-to-day research. This increases the need for scientists to document and store data generated in the course of projects and research and make it available to others. Good and responsible data management supports researchers in this - it ensures transparency and traceability of research results. By definition, research data management accompanies the research process from initial planning to archiving and subsequent use and ensures a good overview and reusability of the data.
The workshop "Introduction to Research Data Management FDM" at the Zittau Co-Creation Lab CELSIUZ in mid-March provided very good insights into the topic. Alina Bastian and Carolin Hundt from the Saxon State Initiative for Research Data Management - SaxFDM - provided the more than 25 workshop participants with theoretical and practical basics and subject-specific insights.
What is FAIR versus open data, metadata, what about data protection, what do technical terms such as anonymization and pseudonymization mean and how do I conceive, design and finalize research projects that can be successfully implemented? Above all, through a good data management plan (DMP). DMPs are a project management tool that helps scientists to keep track of the data used - even in (collaborative) projects with several national or international partners. "A DMP helps you to ensure that data is findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable, even if it is used at a later date," says Alina Bastian. And thus reveals the secret of the importance of the above-mentioned FAIR data.
Alina Bastian and Carolin Hundt also presented the finer points of a so-called DMP - and how associated tools such as an RDMO (Research Data Management Organizer) can be used for this purpose.
A practical and stimulating workshop: Data management is increasingly becoming an essential cornerstone of good scientific practice (GWP) - and is increasingly expected by research funders such as the BMFTR (Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space), the EU in programs such as "Horizon Europe" or the DFG (German Research Foundation). The DFG confirms this on its homepage and writes: "A subject-specific, adequate handling of research data that underlies scientific projects or arises during their implementation is an essential component of quality-oriented and accessible research."
Prof. Dr. Steffi Höse from the Faculty of Business Administration and Engineering Management at the HSZG says: " I am grateful that the organizers offered this important topic in the form of a workshop and created an environment that enabled open exchange and lively discussions. The workshop showed me how much more efficient and transparent research processes become when research data is consistently organized and documented. I would particularly like to highlight the presenter, Alina Bastian, who not only conveyed the topic in a technically sound manner, but also in a practical, clear and entertaining way."
And what specific details can be taken away from the workshop for each individual project management or science project? - "For my field of research, I will take away how clear standards and structured data processes facilitate the collaboration and reuse of findings and data, increase the quality and integrity of research and thus make an important contribution to society. The workshop confirmed my previous approach and motivated me to approach the topic even more critically and, above all, more consciously. I will integrate some of the methods and tools presented directly into my own classes / courses," says Prof. Dr. Steffi Höse.
Bernadette Rohlf, research assistant at the TRAWOS Institute of the HSZG, sums up: "I have become aware of the relevance and feasibility of responsible research data management. I am glad that I attended the workshop shortly before starting my new project, so that I can integrate the newly learned strategies and insights into my project work right from the start. The workshop has enabled me to take a more structured approach to research data management in the future because specific steps and components were taught. I learned how important structured research data management is not only for the archiving and subsequent use of data, but also how ongoing project work can be made clearer, more transparent and more secure through conscious research data management."
Prof. Dr. Jörg Kretzschmar from the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences at the HSZG says: " Research data management has always played an important role in terms of the usability (access) and verifiability (quality) of research data. Not least for this reason, it is becoming increasingly important, for example when applying for third-party funding or to ensure the usability of data generated with funding. In order to improve the usability and verifiability of research data in the future, good planning and consistent implementation of research data management is essential. Online tools and templates can provide excellent support here. The workshop has prompted me to professionalize my current approach to research data management and to use available tools in the future, such as electronic lab notebooks for documenting research data or SaxFDM-RDMO for creating data management plans (DMP)."
Text: Frank Leberecht
Photos: Lucas Wenzel
