Research data refers to the information collected during a systematic investigation or inquiry to find answers to questions or test hypotheses. It is the raw material derived from research endeavors and encompasses various types of data, including quantitative and qualitative data, primary and secondary data, experimental data, observational data, and survey data.
In the realm of academia and scientific research, research data can take many forms, such as numerical measurements, interviews, survey responses, experimental results, ethnographic observations, field notes, audio or video recordings, images, and documents. These data are collected through various methods and tools, such as experiments, surveys, interviews, observations, and literature reviews.
Research data play a crucial role in advancing knowledge and contributing to evidence-based decision-making. They are integral to the research process and are often analyzed, interpreted, and presented to draw meaningful conclusions and make informed recommendations.
To ensure their validity, research data should be accurate, reliable, relevant, and properly collected, recorded, stored, and analyzed. Data management practices, including data documentation, organization, backup, security, and sharing, are necessary to maintain the integrity and accessibility of research data over time.
Government agencies, academic institutions, and research organizations often have policies and guidelines to govern the collection, management, and sharing of research data, aiming to promote transparency, reproducibility, and interoperability of research findings.
