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Research Data
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Managing Data

File naming

Data management begins with a single file. Follow these tips for naming your data files, and adopt a file naming convention to ensure consistency throughout your projects:

  • Avoid using special characters (& % @ \ /).
  • Use under_scores instead of periods or spaces.
  • Err on the side of brevity (<25 characters).
  • Provide context to keep the file name unique, such as “projectabc_201209_0001.tif” instead of simply “0001.tif”.
  • Include dates, and use a recommended format, such as YYYY-MM-DD or YYYYMMDD.
  • Include a version number, or use a file storage system that track versions of edited files.
  • Be consistent. Pick a naming format and describe it in your data documentation.

Structuring files

Organize your files consistently throughout your project. Consider things like:

  • Keeping separate folders for your scratch workspace and final versions of files.
  • Folder Hierarchy—is deep or shallow best for your project?
  • Filing vs. piling: do you organize your files into many folders, or do you use meaningful file names to enable faster searching through a “pile” of files?

Storing files

Where do you save your files? Learn more about considerations for data storage, and options for storing your active research data at Emory.