Essentials 4 Data Support
Course versions and enrolment
Essentials for Data Support course is an introductory course designed for professionals entering the field of research data management (RDM) support. This hybrid course equips participants with knowledge about tools, best practices, and support mechanisms for effectively assisting researchers in managing their data. The full course includes interactive sessions with experts, peer learning with participants and coaches and hands-on assignments to help participants develop a strong understanding of the RDM landscape in the Netherlands.
Learning objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand RDM Fundamentals
- Explain the key principles of research data management, including data lifecycle, FAIR data principles, and data sharing ethics.
- Identify Support Mechanisms
- Familiarize themselves with tools, services, and repositories available for RDM in the Netherlands.
- Understand the roles of various stakeholders in the RDM ecosystem.
- Develop Practical Skills
- Assist researchers with data management plans (DMPs), metadata standards, and data storage options.
- Provide guidance on complying with national and institutional data policies.
- Collaborate and Communicate Effectively
- Engage in conversations with researchers to understand their RDM needs and challenges.
- Present RDM solutions tailored to discipline-specific contexts.
- Reflect on Case Studies
- Analyse and present case studies highlighting real-world RDM challenges and solutions.
Target audience
- Individuals starting their careers in RDM support at academic institutions, libraries, or data services.
- Professionals transitioning into roles that require basic knowledge of research data support
- Those seeking a foundational understanding of RDM practices and tools.
There are two different ways to take the course:
Two ways to get started
- Online only
You have access to the chapters in the learning environment and can study them in whatever way that suits you and meets your learning needs. You will not have access to most assignments and quizzes.
Start the online-only course
- Full course (online + face 2 face with certificate)
- The full course starts with a course day during which you will meet your fellow course participants, your instructors and a number of experts in the field. The instructors will also explain the structure of the online part of the course.
- Until the second course day (about six weeks later) you will have time to study the content of the online learning environment. Among other things, you will be asked to do a current topic assignment, create a data management plan, reflect on your learning process, comment on a case about the legal framework for research data and end with an assignment of your choice. Moodle is used for the assignments.
- The second course day focuses on presentations by the course participants and an evaluation. In addition, a number of experts will talk about their own experiences and you will receive a certificate – provided you have completed all assignments.
- After the course, you will have access to course materials and assignments on the Moodle platform for continued learning and networking.
Time investment for the full course
In addition to the two course days, the average online study load is four to probably six hours per week (50 hours in total).
Costs
- The online-only versions are free.
- The full course costs € 895, exclusive of VAT.
Course dates and location
Three rounds of “Essentials” are organized every year, two in English and one in Dutch. A training round usually covers a period of about 6 weeks.
The course consists of two days of face-to-face teaching, supplemented with online content and assignments. Upon successful completion of all these components, you will receive a certificate.
6 February – 18 March (full, waiting list available)
The first round (in English) will take place on Thursday 6th February 2025 (DANS, Den Haag) and Tuesday 18th March 2025 (SURF, Utrecht).
Registration for this course is closed. If you would like to take the course in English, please email cursus@researchdata.nl to put yourself on the waiting list. If a place becomes available this round, the first on the waiting list will be notified. There will be another English course round in the autumn. You can also take the course in Dutch, see below.
17 April – 2 June
The next round (in Dutch) will take place in 2025 on Thursday 17 April (SURF, Utrecht) and Tuesday, 2 June (Health-RI, Utrecht).
Register here for the full course >>
You can start with the online-only versions at any time.
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact cursus@researchdata.nl.
Terms of use
Cancellation / no show
If you cannot attend the course, please let us know as soon as possible via cursus@researchdata.nl. Then we might be able to fill up your vacant spot.
If we receive your cancellation up to 7 days prior to the first course day (the date of the first group meeting) no payment is required. For later cancellations we will have to charge the full amount. If you don’t attend the course without timely cancellation (up to 7 days prior to the first course day via cursus@researchdata.nl) the full amount will also be charged.
Choice of system
If you want to use all functionalities the Essentials 4 Data Support course has to offer, we recommend taking the course on a Desktop PC, laptop or tablet (landscape orientation).