Research Data Management: Home

• The benefits of publicly-funded research should flow back to the public 
• Management of research projects in a more efficient manner
• Compliance with research funder mandate
• Compliance with legal and ethical requirements
• In order to facilitate the reproducibility and re-usability of research findings
• Duplication of research efforts can be reduced – along with the associated costs
• Validation of previously published research

Official Definition at Stellenbosch University:

Recorded information, obtained during a research process, regardless of form or the media on which it may be recorded. The term includes computer software (computer programmes, databases and documentation thereof), and records of scientific or technical nature. The term does not include information incidental to research administration such as financial, administrative, cost or pricing, or management information. In practice research data include both intangible data (statistics, findings, conclusions) and tangible data. Tangible data include, but are not limited to notes, printouts, electronic storage, photographs, slides, negatives, films, scans, images, autoradiograms, electro-physical recordings, gels, blots, spectra, cell lines, reagents, modified organisms, specimens, consent forms, case report forms, collected organisms and other materials that are relevant to the research project.

Source:
Stellenbosch University Research Data Management Regulations