research management plan template

How to write a research plan: Step-by-step guide

Last updated

30 January 2024

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Today’s businesses and institutions rely on data and analytics to inform their product and service decisions. These metrics influence how organizations stay competitive and inspire innovation. However, gathering data and insights requires carefully constructed research, and every research project needs a roadmap. This is where a research plan comes into play.

There’s general research planning; then there’s an official, well-executed research plan. Whatever data-driven research project you’re gearing up for, the research plan will be your framework for execution. The plan should also be detailed and thorough, with a diligent set of criteria to formulate your research efforts. Not including these key elements in your plan can be just as harmful as having no plan at all.

Read this step-by-step guide for writing a detailed research plan that can apply to any project, whether it’s scientific, educational, or business-related.

• What is a research plan?

A research plan is a documented overview of a project in its entirety, from end to end. It details the research efforts, participants, and methods needed, along with any anticipated results. It also outlines the project’s goals and mission, creating layers of steps to achieve those goals within a specified timeline.

Without a research plan, you and your team are flying blind, potentially wasting time and resources to pursue research without structured guidance.

The principal investigator, or PI, is responsible for facilitating the research oversight. They will create the research plan and inform team members and stakeholders of every detail relating to the project. The PI will also use the research plan to inform decision-making throughout the project.

• Why do you need a research plan?

Create a research plan before starting any official research to maximize every effort in pursuing and collecting the research data. Crucially, the plan will model the activities needed at each phase of the research project.

Like any roadmap, a research plan serves as a valuable tool providing direction for those involved in the project—both internally and externally. It will keep you and your immediate team organized and task-focused while also providing necessary definitions and timelines so you can execute your project initiatives with full understanding and transparency.

External stakeholders appreciate a working research plan because it’s a great communication tool, documenting progress and changing dynamics as they arise. Any participants of your planned research sessions will be informed about the purpose of your study, while the exercises will be based on the key messaging outlined in the official plan.

Here are some of the benefits of creating a research plan document for every project:

Project organization and structure

Well-informed participants

All stakeholders and teams align in support of the project

Clearly defined project definitions and purposes

Distractions are eliminated, prioritizing task focus

Timely management of individual task schedules and roles

Costly reworks are avoided

• What should a research plan include?

The different aspects of your research plan will depend on the nature of the project. However, most official research plan documents will include the core elements below. Each aims to define the problem statement, devising an official plan for seeking a solution.

Specific project goals and individual objectives

Ideal strategies or methods for reaching those goals

Required resources

Descriptions of the target audience, sample sizes, demographics, and scopes

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Project background

Research and testing support

Preliminary studies and progress reporting mechanisms

Cost estimates and change order processes

Depending on the research project’s size and scope, your research plan could be brief—perhaps only a few pages of documented plans. Alternatively, it could be a fully comprehensive report. Either way, it’s an essential first step in dictating your project’s facilitation in the most efficient and effective way.

• How to write a research plan for your project

When you start writing your research plan, aim to be detailed about each step, requirement, and idea. The more time you spend curating your research plan, the more precise your research execution efforts will be.

Account for every potential scenario, and be sure to address each and every aspect of the research.

Consider following this flow to develop a great research plan for your project:

Define your project’s purpose

Start by defining your project’s purpose. Identify what your project aims to accomplish and what you are researching. Remember to use clear language.

Thinking about the project’s purpose will help you set realistic goals and inform how you divide tasks and assign responsibilities. These individual tasks will be your stepping stones to reach your overarching goal.

Additionally, you’ll want to identify the specific problem, the usability metrics needed, and the intended solutions.

Know the following three things about your project’s purpose before you outline anything else:

What you’re doing

Why you’re doing it

What you expect from it

Identify individual objectives

With your overarching project objectives in place, you can identify any individual goals or steps needed to reach those objectives. Break them down into phases or steps. You can work backward from the project goal and identify every process required to facilitate it.

Be mindful to identify each unique task so that you can assign responsibilities to various team members. At this point in your research plan development, you’ll also want to assign priority to those smaller, more manageable steps and phases that require more immediate or dedicated attention.

Select research methods

Research methods might include any of the following:

User interviews: this is a qualitative research method where researchers engage with participants in one-on-one or group conversations. The aim is to gather insights into their experiences, preferences, and opinions to uncover patterns, trends, and data.

Field studies: this approach allows for a contextual understanding of behaviors, interactions, and processes in real-world settings. It involves the researcher immersing themselves in the field, conducting observations, interviews, or experiments to gather in-depth insights.

Card sorting: participants categorize information by sorting content cards into groups based on their perceived similarities. You might use this process to gain insights into participants’ mental models and preferences when navigating or organizing information on websites, apps, or other systems.

Focus groups: use organized discussions among select groups of participants to provide relevant views and experiences about a particular topic.

Diary studies: ask participants to record their experiences, thoughts, and activities in a diary over a specified period. This method provides a deeper understanding of user experiences, uncovers patterns, and identifies areas for improvement.

Five-second testing: participants are shown a design, such as a web page or interface, for just five seconds. They then answer questions about their initial impressions and recall, allowing you to evaluate the design’s effectiveness.

Surveys: get feedback from participant groups with structured surveys. You can use online forms, telephone interviews, or paper questionnaires to reveal trends, patterns, and correlations.

Tree testing: tree testing involves researching web assets through the lens of findability and navigability. Participants are given a textual representation of the site’s hierarchy (the “tree”) and asked to locate specific information or complete tasks by selecting paths.

Usability testing: ask participants to interact with a product, website, or application to evaluate its ease of use. This method enables you to uncover areas for improvement in digital key feature functionality by observing participants using the product.

Live website testing: research and collect analytics that outlines the design, usability, and performance efficiencies of a website in real time.

There are no limits to the number of research methods you could use within your project. Just make sure your research methods help you determine the following:

What do you plan to do with the research findings?

What decisions will this research inform? How can your stakeholders leverage the research data and results?

Recruit participants and allocate tasks

Next, identify the participants needed to complete the research and the resources required to complete the tasks. Different people will be proficient at different tasks, and having a task allocation plan will allow everything to run smoothly.

Prepare a thorough project summary

Every well-designed research plan will feature a project summary. This official summary will guide your research alongside its communications or messaging. You’ll use the summary while recruiting participants and during stakeholder meetings. It can also be useful when conducting field studies.

Ensure this summary includes all the elements of your research project. Separate the steps into an easily explainable piece of text that includes the following:

An introduction: the message you’ll deliver to participants about the interview, pre-planned questioning, and testing tasks.

Interview questions: prepare questions you intend to ask participants as part of your research study, guiding the sessions from start to finish.

An exit message: draft messaging your teams will use to conclude testing or survey sessions. These should include the next steps and express gratitude for the participant’s time.

Create a realistic timeline

While your project might already have a deadline or a results timeline in place, you’ll need to consider the time needed to execute it effectively.

Realistically outline the time needed to properly execute each supporting phase of research and implementation. And, as you evaluate the necessary schedules, be sure to include additional time for achieving each milestone in case any changes or unexpected delays arise.

For this part of your research plan, you might find it helpful to create visuals to ensure your research team and stakeholders fully understand the information.

Determine how to present your results

A research plan must also describe how you intend to present your results. Depending on the nature of your project and its goals, you might dedicate one team member (the PI) or assume responsibility for communicating the findings yourself.

In this part of the research plan, you’ll articulate how you’ll share the results. Detail any materials you’ll use, such as:

Presentations and slides

A project report booklet

A project findings pamphlet

Documents with key takeaways and statistics

Graphic visuals to support your findings

• Format your research plan

As you create your research plan, you can enjoy a little creative freedom. A plan can assume many forms, so format it how you see fit. Determine the best layout based on your specific project, intended communications, and the preferences of your teams and stakeholders.

Find format inspiration among the following layouts:

Written outlines

Narrative storytelling

Visual mapping

Graphic timelines

Remember, the research plan format you choose will be subject to change and adaptation as your research and findings unfold. However, your final format should ideally outline questions, problems, opportunities, and expectations.

• Research plan example

Imagine you’ve been tasked with finding out how to get more customers to order takeout from an online food delivery platform. The goal is to improve satisfaction and retain existing customers. You set out to discover why more people aren’t ordering and what it is they do want to order or experience. 

You identify the need for a research project that helps you understand what drives customer loyalty. But before you jump in and start calling past customers, you need to develop a research plan—the roadmap that provides focus, clarity, and realistic details to the project.

Here’s an example outline of a research plan you might put together:

Project title

Project members involved in the research plan

Purpose of the project (provide a summary of the research plan’s intent)

Objective 1 (provide a short description for each objective)

Objective 2

Objective 3

Proposed timeline

Audience (detail the group you want to research, such as customers or non-customers)

Budget (how much you think it might cost to do the research)

Risk factors/contingencies (any potential risk factors that may impact the project’s success)

Remember, your research plan doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel—it just needs to fit your project’s unique needs and aims.

Customizing a research plan template

Some companies offer research plan templates to help get you started. However, it may make more sense to develop your own customized plan template. Be sure to include the core elements of a great research plan with your template layout, including the following:

Introductions to participants and stakeholders

Background problems and needs statement

Significance, ethics, and purpose

Research methods, questions, and designs

Preliminary beliefs and expectations

Implications and intended outcomes

Realistic timelines for each phase

Conclusion and presentations

How many pages should a research plan be?

Generally, a research plan can vary in length between 500 to 1,500 words. This is roughly three pages of content. More substantial projects will be 2,000 to 3,500 words, taking up four to seven pages of planning documents.

What is the difference between a research plan and a research proposal?

A research plan is a roadmap to success for research teams. A research proposal, on the other hand, is a dissertation aimed at convincing or earning the support of others. Both are relevant in creating a guide to follow to complete a project goal.

What are the seven steps to developing a research plan?

While each research project is different, it’s best to follow these seven general steps to create your research plan:

Defining the problem

Identifying goals

Choosing research methods

Recruiting participants

Preparing the brief or summary

Establishing task timelines

Defining how you will present the findings

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Create a research data management plan

All researchers at UWE Bristol must complete a research data management plan before collecting any data as part of research, or using any data for research.

A research data management plan is a document drawn up at the start of the research process. It outlines how all research data will be generated or collected, managed, stored and preserved, shared or disposed of. All researchers at UWE, including doctoral researchers, must complete a research data management plan before collecting any data as part of research, or using any data for research.

UWE Bristol research data management plan template

There is a specific research data management plan template for use by UWE Bristol researchers. Each question has accompanying guidance notes which can be accessed via hyperlinks from within the template itself, or can be viewed below.

An online training module on research data management to help you to complete your research data management plan is available on the My Learning platform for staff, and on the UWE Bristol Blackboard for students. Please note, the online module is mandatory for staff who conduct or supervise research. Please see the research governance pages  on research data management for the most up-to-date information. 

Access the UWE Bristol Research data management plan template (DOC) .

Note 1: What data will you collect, create or use?

Outline the types of research data that are expected to be created or collected.

Research data can be in any form, for example, electronic or hard copy, video, audio, artefacts, machine readouts. It can include survey/questionnaire data, consent forms, laboratory log books, videos of artistic performances, audio records of interviews and their transcripts, physical samples (including biological samples of animal or human origin), photographic images, environmental or habitat data, observational data (of humans or animals).

Please include:

• The source of the data - is the data coming from primary sources including data subjects, for example, survey participants, video recordings), being generated, or from a third party (such as secondary data)?
• The volume of data do you expect to generate.
• Who are the data subjects (for example survey participants or interviewees)? Are there, or might there be, any vulnerable subjects? These could include, but are not limited to, children, older people, patients, prisoners, asylum seekers, those who are physically or mentally unwell.
• How many data subjects will there be?
• What is the purpose of the data that is being collected?
• Are you creating or collecting personal, sensitive or special category data such as health, religion, race, sexual orientation, genetics and biometrics, relating to a living person or persons?

Note 2: How will you collect, create or access the data?

For primary data, briefly describe how the data will be collected or created.

• Will you be using recorded interviews, observation, physical measurement, taking samples, computer/instrument generated, survey, film etc.
• Outline any professional or community standards that will be adhered to.
• If you are generating digital survey data, what system will you use? Please note:   Qualtrics  is currently the only survey tool authorised by UWE Bristol.

If you are collaborating with any third party organisation or individual

• Outline any data handling agreements that are in place - such as data processing agreements, data sharing agreements or collaboration agreements which include data sharing/handling arrangements.
• If data is to be held by a third party describe when, where, and how the data will be held by the third party. Please note: personal data should not be moved outside of the European Economic area without safeguards being in place (please email The Data Protection Team at  [email protected] for advice).

If you are using third party data (such as a secondary data source), say how this will be obtained

• Outline any restrictions on third party data use, or any access or use agreements that you/the University will need to sign. Please note: you should never sign anything without first consulting with Megan Wiggins in The Contracts Team at [email protected] , as you do not have authority to do so.
• Are you collecting or accessing data under restricted access conditions, for example within the  NHS , ONS , or Criminal Justice System?

UWE Bristol Ethics process for human participants - Consent

Ethical approval MUST be granted by UWE Bristol's College or University Research Ethics Committee in respect of research and/or evaluations involving human participant data. Both legal and ethical dimensions of research data must be considered (please see note 7 in relation to Data Protection). In relation to personal data, the combined effect of ‘law’ and ‘ethics’ is generally that you may only do with data what you have told research participants you will do, and which you have gained consent for.

Please explain here briefly how you will:

• Please ensure that you consult the guidance on participant consent forms (DOC) . Will this consent enable future sharing and re-use? If this is not appropriate, and you do not propose to share and re-use, say so here.
• If you will not be gaining consent please set out your justification. Where professional standards may exist, for example in covert research, or in filming crowds, please set out any professional standards you will be adhering to.
• provide participant information Please see the guidance on participant information sheets (DOC)  and the recommended Participant Privacy Notice (DOC) .
• handle personal, sensitive or other special category data.
• protect the interests and identity of any research participants - for example data anonymisation.

Note 3: Classify your data as public, restricted or confidential

See the Information Handling Policy (PDF)  for definitions of data classifications.

Note 4: How will the data be stored and backed up at all stages of its lifecycle?

Please be clear how data will be stored at each stage of the research. You must comply with the Information Security Policy (PDF)  and take account of the Information Security Toolkit .

You should take a "life course" approach to your data, being clear about the "data journey". For example, if you are interviewing human participants, taking samples, or collecting measurements or other data in the field, how will the data be stored at all stages of the research, how will it be securely transported, backed up, anonymised or pseudonymised, archived, securely disposed of?

Outline where data will be stored during the research

It is usually a requirement that research data is stored on a UWE Bristol networked drive (S or H), or on UWE Bristol OneDrive. If this is not possible, for example in the case of very large datasets, or situations where you will not have network access, you should consult the IT Service Desk for advice.

Please note: the only Cloud provision which is acceptable for use is UWE Bristol OneDrive, not Dropbox or any other provision.

How will data be backed up?

• Who is responsible for conducting data back up, and version control?
• How frequently will data be backed up?
• Is sufficient storage available via UWE Bristol systems, or do you need to consider additional storage needs and associated costs?

See UWE Bristol's data storage pages (intranet only) for information.

Note 5: How will the data be documented, described and maintained?

How will you manage file versioning during the course of the research.

Is there a standard that will be used?

Note what file format(s) you intend to use to store data

Where possible it is better to use non-proprietary file formats that are in widespread use to ensure on-going readability of data.

The UK Data Archive has a list of  file formats  which are in common use.

Outline how you will record information about your data

This is so that you, and others where appropriate, can access and use the data. This might be during the course of the research, or afterwards. Say where this information will be held, for example within the data itself, in a readme.txt file, in a database, or using another system.

As a minimum, you should record date, name and purpose of the data, the creator, details of how the data was created/analysed, explanations of any codes or abbreviations used.

For further information, see the Research Data Management guidance on documenting data .

Note 6: How will your data be processed?

Please describe here what you will actually do with the data, throughout its life course.

Set out the data security measures that you will take in relation to the way you will use the data. Data security measures should be appropriate to the data involved.

UK Data Protection legislation requires that personal data will be processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security including protection against unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction or damage (also see  Note 7 ). However, it is not just personal data; other kinds of data will also need careful handling, for example security sensitive research, commercially sensitive data, data subject to export controls, or environmental information (for example, in relation to rare or endangered populations of animals).

• Will any third party processing of data take place? If so, by whom and for what purpose? (for example, use of a UWE Bristol approved transcription service)
• How will you ensure only those who have a legitimate right to access the data can do so?
• By what mechanisms will data be shared between research partners?
• If you are generating data in the field, how will you ensure its safe transfer to UWE Bristol secure systems?

Note 7: Does the Data Protection Act (2018) apply to your research?

Collecting personal data and complying with data protection.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented in the UK by the Data Protection Act (2018), states that there must be lawfulness, fairness and transparency in relation to any data subjects. Use this section to consider how you will ensure that this data principle is upheld. Please refer to the Data Protection Research Standard (intranet only) for information.

If you are working with human participants

• Outline how you will ensure you comply with the principles of accuracy and minimisation of data collected.
• Outline how you will ensure that data is kept in a form which permits identification for no longer than is necessary (storage limitation under GDPR ). Where data needs to be kept in this form for a longer period of time (for example, clinical trials data) please justify that here. Consult the Data Protection Research Standard  (intranet only).
• Please set out here whether you have conducted a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)  (staff intranet), and any necessary subsequent action. If you do not need to conduct a DPIA , please justify this here.

Note 8: Export controls and other legislation and regulation

• Please see Export Controls Regulations Guidance .
• If your research data may have a “dual use” or potentially be used in weapons of mass destruction (such as certain materials or algorithms) then you must set out here how you will ensure that you comply with the relevant regulations. Please note: the consequences of a breach of Export Controls can be extremely serious, so if you are uncertain, seek guidance from your College Management.
• In relation to other legislation and regulations, are there any specific implications for your research data? If so, please set them out here.

Note 9: What Intellectual Property will be collected or used in this research?

Who owns the ipr of any data collected or created.

• In the case of partnership working, is this covered by a collaboration agreement?
• In the case of derived products (including derived datasets), who owns, controls and has permission to use these?
• Are the measures you have set in place in relation to the research data appropriate to protect IP and not infringe third party IP?

Refer to  The UWE Bristol Policy on Intellectual Property (PDF) for information.

Note 10: What are your plans for long-term preservation and data sharing, where appropriate, and data disposal?

Researchers are encouraged to think about preserving their data and, where appropriate, making it available for sharing and re-use. Some funders and publishers have specific requirements relating to data retention.

Please explain here:

• How you will decide which datasets to keep beyond the end of the research. Include the reasons for your decisions and be clear how this relates to participant consent if you are working with human participants.
• Are you using a schedule from a funder/publisher?
• Outline if there is any data which must be securely destroyed during, or at the end of, the research and how this will be achieved.
• Where any data to be preserved will be deposited. For example, in an established discipline specific, or other, national data repository, or in UWE Bristol's data repository.
• If you do not plan to use a data repository, explain how your data will curated and preserved beyond the end of the research, or why and how it will be securely and safely disposed of.
• If and how you intend to share your research data for re-use. If appropriate, note how participant consent allows for this.
• Note any access limits to the data. For example, does your data contain personal information about research participants that requires access controls, or are you working with an external collaborator?
• Will there be an embargo period?
• Do you have a funder that has a specific data release schedule?

If it is not appropriate to share your data, state why here.

For further information, see guidance on Preserving, Sharing and Disposing of Research Data .

Outline the proposed arrangements if any member of the research team leaves the University

Please note: no student or staff member is permitted to remove data from the University without the permission of the data owner. This is the Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and Business Engagement, delegated to College Deans. This permission will only be granted where it is consistent with the University’s interests and legal and ethical obligations.

Note 11: Who is responsible for enacting the different elements of the research data management plan?

The UWE Bristol project manager has overall responsibility for enacting the research data management plan, but others such as other UWE Bristol research team members, external collaborators, or other third parties will have a role to play. Please set this out here:

• What are the different roles within your research team - at UWE Bristol and/or external collaborators, in relation to the data?
• Do others have a role in relation to research data - for example, data gatekeepers, archivists, personnel in other organisations who are not part of the research team.
• Have formal agreements been set in place by the Contracts team - as appropriate, with research funders, collaborators or other partners?
• What are the different roles within your research team in relation to the data?
• How these roles, including the UWE project manager, will be fulfilled in the case of a significant period of unanticipated absence (such as sickness leave, or a member of staff leaving at short notice).

Note 12: What resources are needed to deliver the plan, and are these available?

Outline any resources you will need to fulfil your plan.

Consider, for example:

• equipment needs - such as an encrypted UWE Bristol laptop or recording device
• long-term storage provision - including resource to pay for it
• transcription costs
• staff time - to ensure data is properly handled
• encrypted additional hard drive or other additional storage
• training or additional staff expertise
• preservation costs - including time for preparation for archiving
• costs associated with any third party data.

See the UK Data Service guidance on costing data management for further guidance.

Funder Requirements

Many research funders also have requirements regarding the submission of a research data management plan. If you are externally funded, find out about your funder's requirements .

The University of Bristol has shared examples of data plans submitted to a range of funders. The University of Leeds has shared two examples of examples of ESRC data plans .

UK Data Archive's managing and sharing data guide provides information to assist researchers in sharing data.

Getting help with submitting a grant application

For help with submitting a data management plan as part of a research funding bid, please contact the  Research and Knowledge Exchange Team .

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10 Free Research Plan Templates for Teams and Professionals

February 13, 2024

Starting a new research project from scratch can feel overwhelming. Without the right tools and templates, you’re left with a blank page and no direction. With them, starting a new project or organizing an existing one feels like a breeze.

That’s why you need to build a library of the best research plan templates. And we’re here to help you do it.

Stick with us as we run through the benefits of using a research plan template and share some of our favorites—all designed to help make your research projects run like magic.

What is a Research Plan Template?

What makes a good research plan template, 1. clickup user research plan template, 2. clickup market research template, 3. clickup research whiteboard template, 4. clickup equity research report template, 5. clickup seo research & management template, 6. clickup research report template, 7. clickup data analysis findings template, 8. clickup personal swot analysis template, 9. clickup case study template, 10. clickup investigation report template, how to write a research plan.

A research plan template is a document that’s designed to help you build the best research management plan possible. Instead of starting from scratch with a blank screen, a research plan document gives you the building blocks to fill in—so you won’t miss anything important.

There are a lot of solid research plan documents out there—covering everything from UX research (user experience) to case study templates . These templates can be helpful for any team, whether you’re working on product development prototypes or research objectives for a marketing project. They’re especially helpful for product design , UX research, and project management teams.

Some of the most popular research plan templates include:

• UX research plan templates
• Usability testing research templates
• Data analysis findings templates
• Project proposal templates
• Case study templates
• Research process templates
• Market research templates
• Competitive analysis templates
• Request for proposal templates

Each is there to guide you towards collecting, reviewing, and reporting on your research in a more strategic and organized way. Think of the research plan as your helpful research buddy—there to make things easier, provide guidance, and help you ace your project execution .

We’re all looking for something different when it comes to project templates. You might favor simplicity and order, while another team might prefer a more creative approach with lots of color and prompts.

Even though your needs are unique, there are some elements that almost always make a research plan template stand out above all the rest.

The best research plan templates:

• Keep you and your product team organized
• Help you standardize the research process and research method you use 
• Keep you focused on the key project goals and deliverables
• Give you suggestions for metrics to record and analyze
• Help you keep your research questions in one place
• Help you stay on target with your project timeline
• Give you a defined place to store your thoughts and research findings

There’s no one perfect template for any individual or team. Consider what your purpose or goal is, what your project management workstreams look like, and which areas you need the most support or guidance in. This will help you choose which templates to feature and how you can use wiki software to build a collection of your go-to templates.

10 Research Plan Templates to Use in 2024

There are hundreds of research plan templates out there, but they’re not all alike. Some of them bring out the best of your project management skills , while others hinder them.

We’ve brought together the best of the best, to share with you the ultimate list of research plan templates to add to your workflow this year. Want to know what’s even better? You don’t need to get buy-in for an expensive pricing plan—these templates are all free!

One of the first things that comes to mind when you say “research plan template” is user research. For development and project teams, this is one step of the process where strategy and staying organized is essential.

The User Research Plan Template by ClickUp makes it easy for you to achieve that and more. There’s space to share your project overview and research goals, research objectives, hypotheses, and more—plus a bonus Interview Research Debrief doc.

This template acts as a central resource for all the stakeholders. Use it to bring your team together, reaffirm your goals and objectives, and stay on track as you execute your qualitative research project.

Bonus: UX design tools !

Planning your market research is a must-have if you want to get the best possible data. Give your team everything they need in one place and it helps your process run smoothly.

To help keep your team informed and ready to go, we developed the Market Research Template by ClickUp . It’s a Task template that brings you key information, all in one place.

Our Market Research Template features five custom fields—a research presentation link, market research type, report document link, data collection technique, and research stage. Add your clickable links, and use the dropdowns to assign the correct stage or type as you progress.

You can collect user research in so many ways. Questionnaires, user interviews, focus groups, user research sessions, or social media. Another super engaging way to do this is with a whiteboard.

Collaboration and user research feels interactive and fun with the Research Whiteboard Template by ClickUp . Encourage your team to share the insights they’ve collected in this highly visual template, with digital sticky notes instead of empty white boxes.

Use this ClickUp whiteboard template as a more engaging way to view your user research. You can also use this as a tool for internal research projects—invite your stakeholders by link and ask them to comment directly.

If you’re in the business of advising investors on what to do with their money, an equity report is a must-have. Instead of manually writing a new report every time, a research plan template can help you shortcut the process and get straight to the details.

Enter the Equity Research Report Template by ClickUp . It’s designed to help you share what you know in a more strategic way. Share an insight into the company overview, management team, performance, market valuation, and recommendations.

This research plan template has everything you need to present your findings to investors in an organized and effective way. Look like a pro to your investor clients and partners, and store all your data in a meaningful way to reflect on later.

Staying on top of your company’s SEO performance is no easy task. There are so many moving parts, tools, projects, goals, and team members that you need a way to stay organized and productive.

Luckily for you, the SEO Research & Management Template by ClickUp is here to help simplify the process—and make you look good to your boss. This Folder template gives you a dedicated place to work on your SEO goals, with SEO-related custom fields and plenty of custom task types to help your team communicate progress and see roadblocks in your research plan.

Use this template to see at a glance where your SEO projects are, so you can be more proactive about how your team is working. You can also dive in to details and understand time estimates, publish dates, and where your rankings are at.

Check out these AI SEO Tools !

There’s no need to start from scratch every time you’re asked to put a research report together—instead use a template to make all your research questions and study reports as impressive as the last one.

Shortcut your way to success with the Research Report Template by ClickUp . There are sections for your executive summary, introduction, research method and techniques, results & discussion, references, and appendices. Add a report author and contributors, so you can recognize everyone that contributed to the report.

Share your research methods, approach, and findings with stakeholders and clients with this impressive template. It’s a useful foundation to help your team get organized and find a better way to update stakeholders on progress.

The Data Analysis Findings Template by ClickUp helps you present your data to everyone in a more meaningful way. Instead of presenting numbers and graphs, this template can help you go deeper into the problem statement, scope, analysis and research method, findings, and conclusion.

Use this template to help you organize your thoughts and communicate the results of your study in a transparent and easy-to-read way. Explain the context and background information alongside your approach, so your stakeholders can fully understand what the data shows.

A personal SWOT analysis can help you understand your (or your team’s) strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This information can not only help you work better, but it means you can be more intentional about your impact on the wider company.

The Personal SWOT Analysis Template by ClickUp can help you remember to work on your SWOT analysis. Find your strengths, weaknesses or pain points, opportunities, and threats. This Task template features several custom fields designed to help you monitor your progress—including your objective, timeline, and completion rate.

This template can be a helpful reminder to focus on your personal SWOT analysis, so you can be more intentional and aware of how you contribute to your team and company’s goals and objectives. Use your personal SWOT to help you set professional goals for work and make a bigger impact.

Case studies give you a powerful insight into what your brands, clients, or competitors are doing. They’re an in-depth look into a specific area of the business, based on your personal research and findings.

Simplify the process of building your case studies with the Case Study Template by ClickUp . This template gives you a strong foundation for presenting clear, insightful case studies with your team, stakeholders, or clients. Introduce the company, your case study objective, solutions and statistics, and your insights.

Use this template to help you create case studies at scale. Present your data in a clear and concise way, with all the context your team or stakeholders need to extract the most value from the case study as possible.

Often our research helps us understand the market, our competitors, or what our own company is doing. Sometimes, it’s to help us understand incidents and challenges instead.

That’s where the Investigation Report Template by ClickUp comes in. This template is designed to help you report on accidents, complaints, incidents, and violations. Explain the case details including a summary and evidence, then move into cross-examination with space for interview questions and answers, and your conclusion.

This template is a must-have for teams and companies that want to demonstrate how they overcome challenges or handle incidents. It’s great for transparency and trust-building, and serves as a useful way to document a trail of evidence for when you need it.

Now that you have a template for your research plan, let’s dive into the details of how to write one. Follow these steps to create an effective research plan that will guide your research and help you achieve your goals.

Step 1: Identify Your Research Question

The first step in writing a research plan is to clearly define your research question or topic. This will serve as the foundation for all of your research and help guide your methods and analysis. Make sure your question is specific, relevant, and achievable within the scope of your project.

Step 2: Outline Your Objectives

Next, you should outline the specific objectives or goals of your research. These objectives should be aligned with your research question and provide a clear roadmap for your project. Be sure to make them measurable and achievable.

Step 3: Choose Your Research Methods

Based on your research question and objectives, you can now determine the appropriate methods for gathering data and conducting analysis. This may include surveys, experiments, interviews, or literature reviews. It’s important to choose methods that are suitable for your research topic and will provide reliable and accurate results.

Step 4: Create a Timeline

A research plan should include a detailed timeline for each stage of the project. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you have enough time to complete each task. Be realistic with your timeline and build in some buffer time for unexpected delays or challenges.

Step 5: Consider Ethical Implications

When conducting research, it’s important to consider any potential ethical implications. This may include obtaining consent from participants, ensuring privacy and confidentiality, or following ethical guidelines set by your institution or governing body.

Step 6: Anticipate Potential Outcomes

As with any research project, there are always potential outcomes that can arise. These could be both positive and negative, and it’s important to anticipate and plan for them. This will help you be prepared for any potential challenges or changes that may occur during your research.

Step 7: Revise and Refine Your Plan

Once you have completed the previous steps, it’s essential to review and revise your research plan as needed. It’s common for plans to change as the project progresses, so be open to making adjustments and tweaking your methods or timeline as needed.

Stay Organized with the Best Research Plan Templates

Nobody likes a disorganized project—especially a research project. Let your team breathe a sigh of relief and make your stakeholders smile when they realize you’ve got it all under control.

Use these free research plan templates to help you get organized, streamline your workflows, and keep everyone informed. Build a collection of templates that work for your projects, and make them a central part of the way you work as a team. Standardize, simplify, and get productive.

All of these research plan templates are available right now, for free, inside our template library . Get access to these user-friendly templates, 100MB of storage, 1,000+ integrations, and more with ClickUp—free now, and forever!

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Data Management Plans (ENG)

• Templates & Examples
• Funder Mandates
• Roles & Responsibilities
• Expected Data
• Dissemination
• Storage & Preservation

Tools for Writing DMPs

The following Microsoft Word documents are borrowed from DMPTool.org . DMPTool.org is created by a group of major research institutions to help researchers generate data management plans. These documents display the current (as of the date shown on the document) funding agency DMP guidance, followed by a listing of points from DMPTool on topics to consider when writing the relevant portion of your DMP.

• NSF-ENG Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the NSF Directorate for Engineering, from DMPTool.org
• NSF-BIO Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences, from DMPTool.org
• NSF-CISE Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the NSF Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering, from DMPTool.org
• NSF-AGS Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the NSF Division of Atmospheric & Geospace Sciences, from DMPTool.org
• NSF-EAR Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the NSF Division of Earth Sciences, from DMPTool.org
• NSF-AST Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences, from DMPTool.org
• NSF-CHE Template DMP Template for the NSF Division of Chemistry, from DMPTool.org
• NSF-DMR Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the NSF Division of Materials Research, from DMPTool.org
• NSF-PHY Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the NSF Division of Physics, from DMPTool.org
• DoE Template (World Document) DMP template for the Department of Energy, from DMPTool.org
• DoE Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the Department of Energy, from DMPTool.org
• DoE Office of Science Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the Department of Energy, Office of Science, from DMPTool.org
• DoE-EERE Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, from DMPTool.org
• DOD Template (Word Document) DMP template for the Department of Defense, from DMPTool.org
• NASA Template (Word Document) DMP Template for NASA, from DMPTool.org
• DOT Template (Word Document) DMP Template for the Department of Transportation, from DMPTool.org

Other DMP Templates

These are links to templates created for researchers at other colleges & universities.

• University of New Mexico Examples
• University of Illinois - Grainger Engineering Library Information Center
• ICPSR Natural Science Examples
• DataONE Examples

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FAS Research Administration Services

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NSF Guide and template for creating a data management plan

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Research Data Management: Plan for Data

• Plan for Data
• Organize & Document Data
• Store & Secure Data
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• Share & Re-use Data
• Data Use Agreements
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What is a Data Management Plan?

Data management plans (DMPs) are documents that outline how data will be collected , stored , secured , analyzed , disseminated , and preserved over the lifecycle of a research project. They are typically created in the early stages of a project, and they are typically short documents that may evolve over time. Increasingly, they are required by funders and institutions alike, and they are a recommended best practice in research data management.

Tab through this guide to consider each stage of the research data management process, and each correlated section of a data management plan.

Tools for Data Management Planning

DMPTool is a collaborative effort between several universities to streamline the data management planning process.

The DMPTool supports the majority of federal and many non-profit and private funding agencies that require data management plans as part of a grant proposal application. ( View the list of supported organizations and corresponding templates.) If the funder you're applying to isn't listed or you just want to create one as good practice, there is an option for a generic plan.

Key features:

Data management plan templates from most major funders

Guided creation of a data management plan with click-throughs and helpful questions and examples

Access to public plans , to review ahead of creating your own

Ability to share plans with collaborators as well as copy and reuse existing plans

How to get started:

Log in with your yale.edu email to be directed to a NetID sign-in, and review the quick start guide .

Research Data Lifecycle

Additional Resources for Data Management Planning

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Manage your research data

Write your data management plan, data management plans online.

DMP Online has been developed by the Digital Curation Centre to help you write data management plans. Our University of Kent membership provides a customised service for our researchers.  

Guidance for writing your data management plan

The topics listed below are the typical questions you may be asked, how to respond to them and why.  

Data summary

Example questions:

• What existing data sources will the research project use? Provide references.
• What types of data will the research create? Why did you decide to use these data types?

Existing data sources

Funders expect you to have considered existing data for reuse.

• Describe any data you will be reusing and any intellectual property, copyright or general reuse conditions and preparations you need to make. 
• Include references to the data sources. 
• If not reusing data, you may need to explain why, and demonstrate any searches you have done to establish that useful data doesn't already exist.

Data types and formats

What sort of data will you create, what formats will you be working with and why did you choose them?

• Describe the content, coverage and data type (for example tabular data, survey data, experimental measurements, models, software, audiovisual data, physical samples) for all the data developed during your project. 
• This does not include literature search strategies or references.

For each type of data, describe the data and the proposed file formats.

During the project, while you're collecting and processing the data:

• These may be the formats created by software (for example Excel – xls; Word - docx, or digital image formats - raw), or analogue formats (for example handwritten notebooks, physical objects). 
• Will you move the data during the project and will you change the format?

After the project, when the data are archived:

• Consider access for and sharing within the project team and by external users who will reuse the archived data.
• Physical or analogue data can be recorded or photographed or otherwise converted to a digital format - see  formats for optimum long-term preservation and sharing .

Why these types and formats?

• Describe how you chose data types and formats in the context of how suitable they are for answering the research question. 
• How will new data be compatible with existing data?
• For each data type outline the open or standard format you will use to archive the data and describe when you will convert the data to that format.

Non-digital data:

If your data is created in a physical or non-digital format describe how you will convert it to a digital format for processing, storage and online sharing?

Data collection

• What methodologies will you use to create the data?
• How will the selected project team be suitable for the data and digital aspects of the work?
• Include how the University’s data support teams may need to support the project.

Data gathering

For each data type, describe the software or processes you will use to gather the data, for example:

• questionnaires:  use Online Surveys - you need to get an account first
• structured interviews:  describe how you will ensure consistent interview technique, record the responses and create transcriptions
• workshops:  explain how these will be organised and what activities you will use to generate data from them. How will this be recorded?

Organisation and analysis

Describe the processes and software you will use to analyse and organize the data:

• How will you process the data? What software will you use?
• What standards will you use to make sure the data is accurate? How will you control and document the  consistency and quality of the data  during collection and processing?  Consider codes of practice for your discipline as well as technical solutions like CheckSums (used while transferring digital files).
• How will the data be managed during the project. What naming conventions and folder structure will you use to arrange the data in a logical and understandable way?
• What documentation will you create to make sure the project team follow the standards and protocols you describe?

Project team

• If the collection of data is carried out by many different people or is removed from the place it will be analysed, explain how the data will be transported and collated.
• Explain how the project team are qualified to carry out the data collection.

Institutional support

Explain what support you will have from the University. This may include support for software or for  handling very large or complex data sets .

The Information Services research support team can help with any  technical requirements , for example:

• new or upgraded software and hardware
• a website or new online functionality
• data gathering or analysis.

Short-term data storage

• How will the data be stored in the short term?
• What backup will you have during the project to make sure no data is lost?

Kent network

Describe where and how you will be caring for your data during the project. 

• Refer to the File storage: saving and sharing files guide and use the file storage finder to find out which service is right for your needs. You will also find information here to help you complete this section.
• Show that you have discussed the project requirements with University of Kent support teams and consulted relevant institutional policies. Refer to the IT Security Policy (pdf)  and the  Research Data Management Policy (pdf)  at Kent.
• Each researcher can get up to 5TB of space on the University of Kent network, which will be more than enough for most projects.

High Performance Computing

If you are processing computational data and algorithms or working with 'Big Data' or 'machine learning', you may need to use the  High Performance Computing service . 

Email  [email protected]  if you need help getting started.

Data collected in the field

Describe how you will store data that is collected in the field:

Follow this  advice about saving, accessing and backing up your work at Kent .

• If you are  using laptops or portable drives , make sure they are encrypted and secure against loss, especially if they hold participants' personal data.
• Consider using  Checksum technology  when moving data files between devices and storage.
• What measures will you take to back up your data?
• What processes can you rely on using University of Kent networked facilities?
• Who will have responsibility for making sure backups happen?

Long-term data storage

• How will the data be stored in the long term?
• Where have you decided to store it? Why is this appropriate?
• How long will the data be stored and why?
• Costs of storage – why are these appropriate?

UKRI funders support the  Common Principles on Data Policy  and expect that research data created from their funding is available for reuse in the long term. Other funders like Wellcome, Nuffield and EU grant sources also expect research data to be preserved and accessible on a  FAIR basis . 

In practice, this means that the data are curated and archived in a digital format in line with recognized digital preservation standards and stored in a reliable data repository. 

Your research data management plan needs to reflect that you support those principles and know how to put them into practice.

Choosing a repository

Explain where you have decided to store your data and why that is appropriate.

OpenDOAR  (from Jisc) and  Re3Data  (from DataCite) list repositories that meet the minimum standards for data repositories. These minimum standards include:

• an explicit  mission to preserve and provide access to data , supported by appropriate policies and governance relating to ethical and legal compliance, data quality, integrity and preservation
• funding and institutional credibility and stability to ensure  long-term sustainability with commitment to ongoing data access and preservation through robust technical infrastructure and security procedures
• metadata schema  in line with known community standards (for example OAI-PMH) so the data and metadata records can be understood widely and in the long-term:
• files are accompanied by documentation describing how the data were created and how they can be reused, as well as available licences to enable confidence in reuse.
• procedures and systems are in place to ensure data and metadata are validated and to record any changes to the files and record. 
• each data record has citation information and unique identifiers, validated by a central body, for example  DOI.org .
• appropriate support :
• staff with expertise and knowledge to support researchers in depositing and managing their data
• guidance, procedures and policy documentation available to researchers and end users.

The most appropriate data repository for your data may be one that is devoted to particular funding sources, communities of practice or file types (which may have technical applications suitable to preserve or render specialist file types). 

Kent Data Repository

The University's  Kent Data Repository (KDR)  is a general facility that aims to make sure all of Kent's data is preserved, managed and, where possible, shared.

It is there for researchers if a specialist archive does not exist or is not available. If you chose to deposit your data in another repository, KDR can hold a record and link to the data for internal record keeping and external reporting.

Assume that your data will be stored in perpetuity, unless there's a reason for limiting the time the data is available. If that is the case, explain why.

Storage costs

Explain why any storage costs are appropriate. Costs related to long term storage will be permitted if they're fully justified and relate to the project. You must provide full justification in Justification of Resources (JoR).

• Storage of research data on KDR is part of the University of Kent standard service and is  free .
• Zenodo  and  UK Data Archive ReShare  also offer a  free  service at the point of delivery if you don't have a more suitable alternative.

Data sharing

• How will the data will be shared? What value will it have to others ?
• How will the data enhance the area? How could it be used in future?
• When will you release the data? How will you let audiences know?
• Will the data need to be updated?
• Will the data be open or will you charge for it?
• Is there a cost associated with sharing your data?

As open as possible

The  UKRI Common Principles on Data Policy  are based on the idea that:

"Publicly funded research data are a public good, produced in the public interest, which should be made openly available with as few restrictions as possible in a timely and responsible manner."

This means that you need to prepare your data and manage your projects with the assumption that it will be openly available. It does not mean that the interest and rights of participants should be set aside, but that you must put processes and contingencies in place to make sure your data can be shared and the rights of others are protected.

The best way to make sure your data are shared responsibly is to manage them according to the  FAIR data principles : findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable.

Value of your data

• peer reviewers and students seeking to understand and explore your project
• immediate colleagues working in a similar area to you
• colleagues in the broader disciplinary area
• scholars in other areas
• big data projects, economic interests and the general public
• policy makers
• anyone else?
• Consider the value of the data itself and of the methodology to other scholars and projects.
• Describe the potential value of each type of data and how you will ensure maximum reuse.

Releasing the data

Say when you will release the data. If you are not releasing them in line with AHRC guidelines of a minimum of three years, you must justify this.

If the data will have value to different audiences, how will they be informed?

It's acceptable to restrict access to the data to project team members only while the project is running and while publications are prepared. But you should release it for general sharing as soon as possible and definitely within any deadlines in funder guidelines.

• Describe how you can make this possible without compromising participant or third party interests.

Future updates

If the data will continue to build up at the end of the project, you may need plans to prepare and archive these additional datasets. You can add these to the original record as extra files or archive them as completely new records linked to the original data.

Charging and costs

To meet FAIR Data and UKRI principles the data should be free at the point of access. If you plan to charge people to access the data you must justify this.

If there is a cost associated with sharing the data (for example  long-term storage ) you must include full justification in the Justification of Resources (JoR).

Ethical and legal considerations

• What are the legal and ethical considerations around collecting the data?
• What are the legal and ethical considerations around releasing and storing the data?

Describe the intellectual property and data requirements around the data. If there are none describe why.

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) will apply to any project that involves human participants. The new GDPR regulations don't require any action beyond that previously covered by data protection legislation and good research practice.

The  University of Kent GDPR guidelines  explain how you can protect your participants effectively while making sure you can use, archive and share your data to an optimum extent.

In general, the collection and processing of data for the purposes of University research is allowable as it is a 'task carried out in the public interest'. This means that although you may need to get consent for collecting and processing personal data for ethical reasons, GDPR does not require consent to collect or process data.

However, GDPR does require that research does meet other standards. Data collection must be:

• transparent : make sure the participants know why you are collecting their data and what you will do with it. Using a  privacy notice  will outline all this information.
• explicit : the privacy notice needs to describe all the processing you will conduct. Preparation of data for preservation and sharing is considered a part of the initial purpose of the research.
• adequate : only collect data that you need for the purposes of your project. If you don't need to know the names, or ages of participants, for instance, don't retain that information.
• accurate : make sure any data you do collect is accurate – check back with the participants.
• limited : only keep personal data as long as you need to. As soon as possible complete any processes to  anonymise the data  and prepare it for further processing and archiving. Anonymous data is not restricted by GDPR as long as all information that can be used to identify the participants directly, or indirectly, is removed.
• secure : follow the  University of Kent guidelines  surrounding the use of mobile digital devices and use password-protected network facilities; this will safeguard the data against loss, destruction or damage.

Sensitive data

If your data involves particularly sensitive data you need extra safeguards, but these already exist at the University. They include:

• Research Ethics Committee review and approval
• governance checks (including Health Research Authority assessment for health research)
• peer review from public funders
• data minimisation and minimisation of recruitment numbers
• pseudonymisation and other technical safeguards against accidental disclosure and loss or corruption of research data.

If you have any particular circumstances contact  University of Kent Research Services and check your school research ethics procedures. Check any specific disciplinary guidance; for example, The Association of Social Anthropologists publish  guidelines for conducting research with people in other countries .

Release and storage

You need to think about the anonymity of participants if this was promised, as well as commercial interests and intellectual property.

• Make sure you have anonymized the data as part of the data preparation for preservation and sharing.
• Consider other legal and ethical implications for sharing and storing your data.
• Make sure you have included information about the long-term management of your data in the privacy statement you share with participants.
• If using secondary data, you will need to take original intellectual property (IP) into account.
• Where commercial partners have an interest in the data, this needs to be married with the requirements of AHRC: you may need to restrict access for a period or redact the data.
• Any patents or IP developed by the project will impact on data sharing and reuse: discuss these with  Kent Innovation & Enterprise .

Need help with research data management? Email  [email protected]

Find out all the ways you can get in touch:

Research support links

• Information Services research support
• Office for Scholarly Communication
• Research and Innovation Services
• Kent Graduate and Researcher College

Data Management Plans

A data management plan (DMP) is a formal document that outlines how a researcher intends to manage their research data during and after a project.

Creating a DMP can help you:

• Make decisions about managing your data and understand the implications of those decisions
• Identify resources and tools needed for your research
• Estimate costs for resources and tools and budget accordingly
• Anticipate and mitigate problems (e.g. data loss, duplication of effort, security breaches)
• Ensure everyone in your research group understands what is happening with the data

Creating a DMP

A DMP should follow the format specified by a funder or any other relevant requirements. If no format is specified you can create a DMP in whatever way works for you (e.g., a text document or Excel file). You can use the DMP Planning Checklist and Question Guide to help develop your DMP.

DMPs should be created in consultation with all research group members and partners. If you are conducting research with Indigenous communities, your DMP should be co-created with those communities.

Online DMP tools

There are also a number of free, online tools that can help you draft a DMP. These tools provide templates based on discipline, research method, institutional context, and funding requirements.

• DMP Assistant (Canada, provides templates based on discipline and research method)
• DMPOnline (United Kingdom, provides templates from various UK funding agencies)
• DMPTool  (United States, provides templates from various US funding agencies)

Examples of DMPs

• Canadian examples from the Digital Research Alliance of Canada
• Canadian examples from DMP Assistant (public plans, not vetted)
• NIH sample data management and sharing plans
• US examples from DMPTool (public plans, not vetted)
• UK examples from the Digital Curation Centre
• UK examples from DMPonline (public plans, not vetted)

Library resources

• Data Management Plan (DMP) - Planning Checklist - this checklist can be used to ensure you’ve included all relevant information in a DMP or to help you gather information you will need to complete your DMP.
• Data Management Plan (DMP) - Question Guide - this guide includes prompting questions and guidance to help you develop a DMP.

Library services The library provides support for:

• Understanding what information and level of detail to include in a DMP
• Navigating funder and journal requirements
• Reviewing DMPs for completeness
• DMP Assistant

Please note that our services are intended to provide support and guidance. The library cannot validate methodological approaches.

External resources

• Brief Guide - Create an Effective Data Management Plan (Digital Research Alliance of Canada)
• Brief Guide - Data Management Plan (Digital Research Alliance of Canada)
• DMP Assistant Video Tutorial Series (Digital Research Alliance of Canada)
• Primer - Data Management Plans (Digital Research Alliance of Canada)
• Guide to Preparing a Data Management Plan (SSHRC - Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council)
• Data Management Plans for NEH Office of Digital Humanities Proposals and Awards (NEH - National Endowment for the Humanities)
• Writing a Data Management & Sharing Plan (NIH - National Institutes of Health)
• Preparing Your Data Management Plan (NSF - National Science Foundation)
• Costs of Data Management (Utrecht University)
• Data management costing tool and checklist (UK Data Service)
• How to Develop a Data Management and Sharing Plan (Digital Curation Centre)

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• Costing data management
• Planning for sensitive data

A data management plan (DMP) describes how the research data will be managed throughout the research lifecycle. This includes what research data will be created and/or collected, how it will be managed during the project, and how it will be shared and preserved at the end of the project. It should typically also describe any potential legal or ethical issues that need to be addressed. A DMP is a dynamic document, and should be updated as a project progresses and it should be reviewed regularly as your data needs change.

Data management plans in funding bids

The University’s  Open Access Research and Research Data Management Policy states that all research proposals must include a DMP.

Additionally, most research funders require you to complete a DMP as part of the application process, although the format and content of these plans can differ between funders. A number of bids have been rejected on the basis of weak DMPs, so make sure you give yourself enough time to put together a good quality document.

The table below highlights the funder requirements for DMPs at the grant application stage, but some funders, including the Natural Environment Research Council, require more detailed data management plans to be submitted after a project has started.

Funder DMP Requirements

Writing a data management plan

DMPonline , developed by the Digital Curation Centre (DCC), is a helpful tool for writing DMPs. DMPonline contains data management plan templates for all of the major research funders, and provides guidance and advice on what to include. DMPonline also has the DCC DMP checklist and example DMPs, illustrating the content and level of detail required. Guidance on using DMPonline can be found in the DMPonline User Guide .

Although each DMP is individual, they should all include the same basic information:

• What data will be created?
• How will the data be documented and described?
• How will you manage ethics and intellectual property rights?
• What are the plans for data sharing?
• What is the strategy for long-term preservation and sustainability?

The Research Data Management team are happy to discuss your DMP with you and to provide feedback and comments on your draft DMP. To help you get started, the table below covers the elements that typically make up a DMP. It contains a list of points that you should think about, along with providing suggestions on possible wording.

Typical elements of a DMP

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Data Management for the Sciences

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Common Requirements for a DMP

Data management plan tool, examples of dmps, funding agency requirements, ucla data management plan template.

• Data Deposit and Sharing
• Data Citation

In 2011, the National Science Foundation (NSF) began requiring that grant applicants include a data management plan in their proposals. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and others have similar policies in effect.

By creating a data management plan, you will not only satisfy funding agencies but also have an opportunity to think through how to manage your data for your own use as well as any future use by fellow researchers.

Although funding institutions have different specific requirements, a data management plan should generally contain the following components:

• Description of the project: e.g., purpose of the research, organization(s) and staff involved
• Description of the data to be collected: e.g., the nature and format of the data, how it will be collected, and overview of secondary data available on the topic
• Standards to be applied for formats, metadata, etc.
• Plans for short-term storage and data management: e.g., file formats, local storage and back up procedures, and security
• Description of legal and ethical issues: e.g., intellectual property, confidentiality of study participants
• Access policies and provisions: i.e., how will you make data available to others, any restrictions to to data reuse, etc.
• Provisions for long-term archiving and preservation: e.g., in a data archive
• Assigned data management responsibilities: i.e., which persons will actually be responsible for ensuring data management; how will compliance with this plan be monitored and ensured over time

Source : from the University of New Hampsphire

DMPTool The DMPTool provides a click-through wizard to guide researchers through the process of creating high quality data management plans that meet funder requirements. The DMPTool supports all major funders, and is updated when funders release new requirements.  

To get an idea of what data management plans look like, check out these examples:

• a plan produced by the DMP Tool
• a sample plan produced by ICPSR
• examples of guidance for data sharing produced by NIH (short)
• two sample plans from the University of Wisconsin-Madison ( 1 , 2 )
• examples shared by UC San Diego

Each funding agency has its own set of guidelines. To see what these are for a few funding agencies, see the Funding Agency Requirements page.

1. Description

• G ive a summary of the data you will collect or create, noting the content, coverage and data type, e.g., tabular data, survey data, experimental measurements, models, software, audiovisual data, physical samples, etc. Indicate which data are of long-term value and should be shared and/or preserved.
• If purchasing or reusing existing data, explain how issues such as copyright and intellectual property rights have been addressed. You should aim to minimize any restrictions on the reuse (and subsequent sharing) of third-party data.
• Clearly note what format(s) your data will be in and explain why you have chosen certain formats. See UK Data Service guidance on recommended formats or DataONE Best Practices for file formats .
• Note what volume of data you will create in MB/GB/TB. Indicate the proportions of raw data, processed data, and other secondary outputs. Consider whether the scale of the data will pose challenges when sharing or transferring data between sites; if so, how will you address these challenges?

2. Data Organization and Metadata

• Outline how the data will be collected, processed, and organized. This should cover relevant standards or methods, quality assurance and data organization (e.g., naming conventions, version control and folder structures.).
• Explain how the consistency and quality of data collection will be controlled and documented. This may include processes such as calibration, repeat samples or measurements, standardized data capture, data entry validation, peer review of data or representation with controlled vocabularies. See the DataOne Best Practices for data quality.
• What metadata will be provided to help others identify and discover the data?
• Consider what other documentation is needed to enable reuse. This may include information on the methodology used to collect the data, analytical and procedural information, definitions of variables, units of measurement, any assumptions made, the format and file type of the data and software used to collect and/or process the data.
• Consider how you will capture this information and where it will be recorded, e.g., in a database with links to each item, in a ‘readme’ text file, in file headers, etc.

UCLA Guidance: Researchers are strongly encouraged to use community metadata standards where these are in place. The Research Data Alliance offers a Directory of Metadata Standards . Data repositories may also provide guidance about appropriate metadata standards. Also, see DRYAD's ReadMe guidance and University of Minnesota Library's readme template .

3. Ethics, Privacy and Intellectual Property

• Consider how you will protect the identity of participants, e.g., via anonymization or using managed access procedures.
• Ethical issues may affect how you store and transfer data, who can see/use it and how long it is kept. You should demonstrate that you are aware of this and have planned accordingly
• State who will own the copyright and IPR of any existing data as well as new data that you will generate. For multi-partner projects, IPR ownership should be covered in the consortium agreement.
• Outline any restrictions needed on data sharing, e.g., to protect proprietary or patentable data.

UCLA Guidance: “Research Data are the property of The Regents of the University of California. The Principal Investigator shall retain Research Data on behalf of the University, in accordance with Section VI.b.” of Interim UCLA Guidance on Access to and Management of Research Data and Tangible Research Materials .

4. Storage and Security

• Describe where the data will be stored and backed up during the course of research activities. This may vary if you are doing fieldwork or working across multiple sites so explain each procedure.
• Identify who will be responsible for backup and how often this will be performed.
• Consider data security, particularly if your data is sensitive. Note the main risks and how these will be managed. Identify any formal standards that you will comply with.

UCLA Guidance: Consider using UCLA Box and other Cloud Services at UCLA , IDRE Data Storage options , or UCLA’s version of the Open Science Framework .

5. Data Sharing and Preservation

• How will you share the data e.g. deposit in a data repository, use a secure data service, handle data requests directly or use another mechanism? If you do not propose to use an established repository, demonstrate that the data can be curated effectively beyond the lifetime of the grant.
• When will you make the data available? Research funders expect timely release. They typically allow embargoes but not prolonged exclusive use.
• Who will be able to use your data? If you need to restrict access to certain communities or apply data sharing agreements, explain why.
• How might your data be reused in other contexts? Where there is potential for reuse, you should use standards and formats that facilitate this, and ensure that appropriate metadata is available online so your data can be discovered. Persistent identifiers should be applied so people can reliably and efficiently find your data. They also help you to track citations and reuse.
• If depositing in a data repository, it helps to show that you have consulted with the repository to understand their policies and procedures, including any metadata standards, and costs involved.
• Outline the plans for data sharing and preservation - how long will the data be retained and where will it be archived? Will additional resources be needed to prepare data for deposit or meet any charges from data repositories?

UCLA Guidance: Consider using a disciplinary repository if available, see lists at re3data or PLOS ONE recommended repositories . If there is not an appropriate disciplinary repository consider UCLA’s DataDen or Social Science Data Archive . If you use a repository or server that does not provide persistent identifiers, use EZID to get one.

The Interim UCLA Guidance on Access to and Management of Research Data and Tangible Research Materials states in VI.b. “Principal Investigators shall retain all Research Data on behalf of the University in accordance with this Guidance for as long as possible, but not less than a minimum of six years after final reporting, publication, completion or abandonment of the project, unless a longer retention period is indicated by the funding source or other relevant agreement”

6. Roles and Responsibilities, Budget, and Related Policies

• Outline the roles and responsibilities for all activities, individuals should be named where possible. For collaborative projects you should explain the coordination of data management responsibilities across partners.
• Carefully consider and justify any resources needed to deliver the plan. These may include storage costs, hardware, staff time, costs of preparing data for deposit and repository charges.
• Outline any relevant technical expertise, support and training that is likely to be required and how it will be acquired.
• List any other relevant funder, institutional, departmental or group policies on data management, data sharing and data security.

UCLA Guidance: See DataONE Best Practices: Define roles and assign responsibilities for data management .

• << Previous: Data Backup and Security
• Next: Funding Agency Requirements >>
• Last Updated: Feb 2, 2024 11:45 AM
• URL: https://guides.library.ucla.edu/data-management-sciences

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Our research plan templates provide a structured framework for organizing and conducting research projects. Define objectives, outline methodologies, and visualize data collection techniques effortlessly to ensure successful research outcomes.

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Research Data Management (RDM): Data Management Plan (DMP)

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Data Management Plan (DMP)

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Click the image above to start building your Research Data Management Plan

A Data Management Plan is a document that specifies how research data will be handled both during and after a research project.

It identifies key actions and strategies to ensure that research data are of high quality, secure, sustainable, and – to the extent possible – accessible and reusable.

Many public research funders and ethics committees require a data management plan to be submitted as part of their application.

What to include in DMP

A good DMP takes into account the applicable regulations and data policies and considers the whole research data lifecycle. It typically addresses the following topics:

• What data will be collected, and how.
• How data will be documented.
• How any ethical and legal issues will be dealt with.
• How data will be stored and backed up during research.
• Any plans for preserving (some of the) data beyond the project's end.
• Any plans for sharing or providing access to (some of the) data.
• Who will be responsible for data management, and what additional resources may be required.
• What to cover in your DMP may also depend on your funder, who may provide their own DMP template. 

Charles Darwin University recommends completing the RDM and Primary Materials Checklist as part of the DMP and provides a full DMP template

• << Previous: RDM and Primary Materials Checklist
• Next: Existing Data >>
• Last Updated: Apr 23, 2024 4:21 PM
• URL: https://libguides.cdu.edu.au/RDM

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What is UX Research: The Ultimate Guide for UX Researchers

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How to create a UX research plan (examples, tactics, and templates)

Conducting UX research without a plan is like moving to another country without knowing the language—confusing and exhausting.

To avoid wasting time and resources, it’s crucial to set achievable research goals and work on developing a research plan that’s clear, comprehensive, and aligned with your overarching business goals and research strategy.

A good UX research plan sets out the parameters for your research, and guides how you’ll gather insights to inform product development. In this chapter, we share a step-by-step guide to creating a research plan, including templates and tactics for you to try. You’ll also find expert tips from Paige Bennett, Senior User Research Manager at Affirm, and Sinéad Davis Cochrane, Research Manager at Workday.

What is a UX research plan?

A UX research plan—not to be confused with a UX research strategy —is a plan to guide individual user experience (UX) research projects.

It's a living document that includes a detailed explanation of tactics, methods, timeline, scope, and task owners. It should be co-created and shared with key stakeholders, so everyone is familiar with the project plan, and product teams can meet strategic goals.

While the UX research plan should be based on strategy, it’s not the same thing. A strategy is a high-level document that contains goals, budget, vision, and expectations. Meanwhile, a plan is a detailed document explaining how the team will achieve those strategic goals. In short, a strategy is a guide, but a plan is what drives action.

What are the benefits of using a UX research plan?

Conducting research without goals and parameters is aimless. A UX research plan is beneficial for your product, user, and business—by building a plan for conducting UX research, you can:

Streamline processes and add structure

Work toward specific, measurable goals, align and engage stakeholders, save time by avoiding rework.

The structure of a research plan allows you to set timelines, expectations, and task owners, so everyone on your team is aligned and empowered to make decisions. Since there’s no second guessing what to do next or which methods to use, you’ll find your process becomes simpler and more efficient. It’s also worth standardizing your process to turn your plan into a template that you can reuse for future projects.

When you set research goals based on strategy, you’ll find it easier to track your team’s progress and keep the project in scope, on time, and on budget. With a solid, strategy-based UX research plan you can also track metrics at different stages of the project and adjust future tactics to get better research findings.

“It’s important to make sure your stakeholders are on the same page with regards to scope, timeline, and goals before you start," explains Paige Bennett, Senior User Research Manager at Affirm. That's because, when stakeholders are aligned, they're much more likely to sign off on product changes that result from UX research.

A written plan is a collaborative way to involve stakeholders in your research and turn them into active participants rather than passive observers. As they get involved, they'll make useful contributions and get a better understanding of your goals.

A UX research plan helps you save time and money quite simply because it’s easier and less expensive to make design or prototype changes than it is to fix usability issues once the product is coded or fully launched. Additionally, having a plan gives your team direction, which means they won’t be conducting research and talking to users without motive, and you’ll be making better use of your resources. What’s more, when everyone is aligned on goals, they’re empowered to make informed decisions instead of waiting for their managers’ approval.

What should a UX research plan include?

In French cuisine, the concept of mise en place—putting in place—allows chefs to plan and set up their workspace with all the required ingredients before cooking. Think of your research plan like this—laying out the key steps you need to go through during research, to help you run a successful and more efficient study.

Here’s what you should include in a UX research plan:

• A brief reminder of the strategy and goals
• An outline of the research objectives
• The purpose of the plan and studies
• A short description of the target audience, sample size, scope, and demographics
• A detailed list of expectations including deliverables, timings, and type of results
• An overview of the test methods and a short explanation of why you chose them
• The test set up or guidelines to outline everything that needs to happen before the study: scenarios, screening questions, and duration of pilot tests
• Your test scripts, questions to ask, or samples to follow
• When and how you’ll present the results
• Cost estimations or requests to go over budget

Collect all UX research findings in one place

Use Maze to run quantitative and qualitative research, influence product design, and shape user-centered products.

How to create a UX research plan

Now we’ve talked through why you need a research plan, let’s get into the how. Here’s a short step-by-step guide on how to write a research plan that will drive results.

• Define the problem statement
• Get stakeholders’ buy-in
• Identify your objectives
• Choose the right research method
• Recruit participants
• Prepare the brief
• Establish the timeline
• Decide how you’ll present your findings

1. Define the problem statement

One of the most important purposes of a research plan is to identify what you’re trying to achieve with the research, and clarify the problem statement. For Paige Bennett , Senior User Research Manager at Affirm, this process begins by sitting together with stakeholders and looking at the problem space.

“We do an exercise called FOG, which stands for ‘Fact, Observation, Guess’, to identify large gaps in knowledge,” says Paige. “Evaluating what you know illuminates questions you still have, which then serves as the foundation of the UX research project.”

You can use different techniques to identify the problem statement, such as stakeholder interviews, team sessions, or analysis of customer feedback. The problem statement should explain what the project is about—helping to define the research scope with clear deliverables and objectives.

2. Identify your objectives

Research objectives need to align with the UX strategy and broader business goals, but you also need to define specific targets to achieve within the research itself—whether that’s understanding a specific problem, or measuring usability metrics . So, before you get into a room with your users and customers, “Think about the research objectives: what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and what you expect from the UX research process ,” explains Sinéad Davis Cochrane , Research Manager at Workday.

Examples of research objectives might be:

• Learn at what times users interact with your product
• Understand why users return (or not) to your website/app
• Discover what competitor products your users are using
• Uncover any pain points or challenges users find when navigating with your product
• Gauge user interest in and prioritize potential new features

A valuable purpose of setting objectives is ensuring your project doesn't suffer from scope creep. This can happen when stakeholders see your research as an opportunity to ask any question. As a researcher , Sinéad believes your objectives can guide the type of research questions you ask and give your research more focus. Otherwise, anything and everything becomes a research question—which will confuse your findings and be overwhelming to manage.

Sinéad shares a list of questions you should ask yourself and the research team to help set objectives:

• What are you going to do with this information?
• What decisions is it going to inform?
• How are you going to leverage these insights?

Another useful exercise to help identify research objectives is by asking questions that help you get to the core of a problem. Ask these types of questions before starting the planning process:

• Who are the users you’re designing this for?
• What problems and needs do they have?
• What are the pain points of using the product?
• Why are they not using a product like yours?

3. Get stakeholders buy-in

It’s good practice to involve stakeholders at early stages of plan creation to get everyone on board. Sharing your UX research plan with relevant stakeholders means you can gather context, adjust based on comments, and gauge what’s truly important to them. When you present the research plan to key stakeholders, remember to align on the scope of research, and how and when you’ll get back to them with results.

Stakeholders usually have a unique vision of the product, and it’s crucial that you’re able to capture it early on—this doesn’t mean saying yes to everything, but listening to their ideas and having a conversation. Seeing the UX research plan as a living document makes it much easier to edit based on team comments. Plus, the more you listen to other ideas, the easier it will be to evangelize research and get stakeholders to see the value behind it.

I expect my stakeholders to be participants, and I outline how I expect that to happen. That includes observing interviews, participating in synthesis exercises, or co-presenting research recommendations.

Paige Bennett , Senior User Research Manager at Affirm

4. Choose the right research method

Choose between the different UX research methods to capture different insights from users.

To define the research methods you’ll use, circle back to your research objectives, what stage of the product development process you’re in, and the constraints, resources, and timeline of the project. It’s good research practice to use a mix of different methods to get a more complete perspective of users’ struggles.

For example, if you’re at the start of the design process, a generative research method such as user interviews or field studies will help you generate new insights about the target audience. Or, if you need to evaluate how a new design performs with users, you can run usability tests to get actionable feedback.

It’s also good practice to mix methods that drive quantitative and qualitative results so you can understand context, and catch the user sentiment behind a metric. For instance, if during a remote usability test, you hear a user go ‘Ugh! Where’s the sign up button?’ you’ll get a broader perspective than if you were just reviewing the number of clicks on the same test task.

Examples of UX research methods to consider include:

• Five-second testing
• User interviews
• Field studies
• Card sorting
• Tree testing
• Focus groups
• Usability testing
• Diary studies
• Live website testing

Check out our top UX research templates . Use them as a shortcut to get started on your research.

5. Determine how to recruit participants

Every research plan should include information about the participants you need for your study, and how you’ll recruit them. To identify your perfect candidate, revisit your goals and the questions that need answering, then build a target user persona including key demographics and use cases. Consider the resources you have available already, by asking yourself:

• Do you have a user base you can tap into to collect data?
• Do you need to hire external participants?
• What’s your budget to recruit users?
• How many users do you need to interact with?

When selecting participants, make sure they represent all your target personas. If different types of people will be using a certain product, you need to make sure that the people you research represent these personas. This means not just being inclusive in your recruitment, but considering secondary personas—the people who may not be your target user base, but interact with your product incidentally.

You should also consider recruiting research participants to test the product on different devices. Paige explains: “If prior research has shown that behavior differs greatly between those who use a product on their phone versus their tablet, I need to better understand those differences—so I’m going to make sure my participants include people who have used a product on both devices.”

During this step, make sure to include information about the required number of participants, how you’ll get them to participate, and how much time you need per user. The main ways to recruit testers are:

• Using an online participant recruitment tool like Maze’s panel
• Putting out physical or digital adverts in spaces that are relevant to your product and user
• Reaching out to existing users
• Using participants from previous research
• Recruiting directly from your website or app with a tool like In-Product Prompts

5.1. Determine how you’ll pay them

You should always reward your test participants for their time and insights. Not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because if they have an incentive they’re more likely to give you complete and insightful answers. If you’re hosting the studies in person, you’ll also need to cover your participants' travel expenses and secure a research space. Running remote moderated or unmoderated research is often considered to be less expensive and faster to complete.

If you’re testing an international audience, remember to check your proposed payment system works worldwide—this might be an Amazon gift card or prepaid Visa cards.

6. Prepare the brief

The next component of a research plan is to create a brief or guide for your research sessions. The kind of brief you need will vary depending on your research method, but for moderated methods like user interviews, field studies, or focus groups, you’ll need a detailed guide and script. The brief is there to remind you which questions to ask and keep the sessions on track.

Your script should cover:

• Introduction: A short message you’ll say to participants before the session begins. This works as a starting point for conversations and helps set the tone for the meeting. If you’re testing without a moderator, you should also include an introductory message to explain what the research is about and the type of answers they should give (in terms of length and specificity).
• Interview questions: Include your list of questions you’ll ask participants during the sessions. These could be examples to help guide the interviews, specific pre-planned questions, or test tasks you’ll ask participants to perform during unmoderated sessions.
• Outro message: Outline what you'll say at the end of the session, including the next steps, asking participants if they are open to future research, and thanking them for their time. This can be a form you share at the end of asynchronous sessions.

It’s crucial you remember to ask participants for their consent. You should do this at the beginning of the test by asking if they’re okay with you recording the session. Use this space to lay out any compensation agreements as well. Then, ask again at the end of the session if they agree with you keeping the results and using the data for research purposes. If possible, explain exactly what you’ll do with their data. Double check and get your legal team’s sign-off on these forms.

7. Establish the timeline

Next in your plan, estimate how long the research project will take and when you should expect to review the findings. Even if not exact, determining an approximate timeline (e.g., two-three weeks) will enable you to manage stakeholders’ expectations of the process and results.

Many people believe UX research is a lengthy process, so they skip it. When you set up a timeline and get stakeholders aligned with it, you can debunk assumptions and put stakeholders’ minds at ease. Plus, if you’re using a product discovery tool like Maze, you can get answers to your tests within days.

8. Decide how you’ll present your findings

When it comes to sharing your findings with your team, presentation matters. You need to make a clear presentation and demonstrate how user insights will influence design and development. If you’ve conducted UX research in the past, share data that proves how implementing user insights has improved product adoption.

Examples of ways you can present your results include:

• A physical or digital PDF report with key statistics and takeaways
• An interactive online report of the individual research questions and their results
• A presentation explaining the results and your findings
• A digital whiteboard, like Miro, to display the results

In your plan, mention how you’ll share insights with the product team. For example, if you’re using Maze, you can start by emailing everyone the ready-to-share report and setting up a meeting with the team to identify how to bring those insights to life. This is key, because your research should be the guiding light for new products or updates, if you want to keep development user-centric. Taking care over how you present your findings will impact whether they’re taken seriously and implemented by other stakeholders.

Templates for UX research

Whether you’re creating the plan yourself or are delegating this responsibility to your team, here are six research templates to get started:

• UX research plan template : This editable Miro research project plan example helps you brainstorm user and business-facing problems, objectives, and questions
• UX research brief : You need a clear brief before you conduct UX research—Milanote shares a template that will help you simplify the writing process
• User testing synthesis : Trello put together a sample board to organize user testing notes—you can use this as a guide, but change the titles to fit your UX research purposes
• Usability testing templates : At Maze, we’ve created multiple templates for conducting specific UX research methods—this list will help you create different remote usability tests
• Information architecture (IA) tests template : The way you organize the information in your website or app can improve or damage the user experience—use this template to run IA tests easily
• Feedback survey templates : Ask users anything through a survey, and use these templates to get creative and simplify creation

Everything you need to know about UX research plans

We all know that a robust plan is essential for conducting successful UX research. But, in case you want a quick refresher on what we’ve covered:

• Using a UX research strategy as a starting point will make your plan more likely to succeed
• Determine your research objectives before anything else
• Use a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Come up with clear personas so you can recruit and test a group of individuals that’s representative of your real end users
• Involve stakeholders from the beginning to get buy-in
• Be vocal about timelines, budget, and expected research findings
• Use the insights to power your product decisions and wow your users; building the solution they genuinely want and need

UX research can happen at any stage of the development lifecycle. When you build products with and for users, you need to include them continuously at various stages of the process.

It’s helpful to explore the need for continuous discovery in your UX research plan and look for a tool like Maze that simplifies the process for you. We’ll cover more about the different research methods and UX research tools in the upcoming chapters—ready to go?

Elevate your UX research workflow

Discover how Maze can streamline and operationalize your research plans to drive real product innovation while saving on costs.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a UX research plan and a UX research strategy?

The difference between a UX research plan and a UX research strategy is that they cover different levels of scope and detail. A UX research plan is a document that guides individual user experience (UX) research projects. UX research plans are shared documents that everyone on the product team can and should be familiar with. The UX research strategy, on the other hand, outlines the high-level goals, expectations, and demographics of the discovery.

What should you include in a user research plan?

Here’s what to include in a user research plan:

• Problem statement
• Research objectives
• Research methods
• Participants' demographics
• Recruitment plan
• User research brief
• Expected timeline
• How to present findings

How do you write a research plan for UX design?

Creating a research plan for user experience (UX) requires a clear problem statement and objectives, choosing the right research method, recruiting participants and briefing them, and establishing a timeline for your project. You'll also need to plan how you'll analyze and present your findings.

Generative Research: Definition, Methods, and Examples

Research Project Plan Template

What is a Research Project Plan?

A research project plan outlines the processes and activities that need to be completed to achieve the desired results of a research project. The plan should provide a timeline for the research activities and identify any potential risks. It should also specify the resources and personnel needed, as well as the budget and timeline for the project. The plan should be both comprehensive and flexible, so that it can be modified as needed throughout the project.

What's included in this Research Project Plan template?

• 3 focus areas
• 6 objectives

Each focus area has its own objectives, projects, and KPIs to ensure that the strategy is comprehensive and effective.

Who is the Research Project Plan template for?

The research project plan template is designed for research teams in academic, corporate, or non-profit sectors who need to plan and execute their research projects. The template provides a structure for outlining the processes and activities that must be completed in order to achieve the desired results of the research project. The template is designed to be comprehensive and flexible, allowing for modifications as needed throughout the project.

1. Define clear examples of your focus areas

A focus area is a specific area or topic that a research team is investigating. The focus area should be clearly defined and specific, so that the research team can develop objectives, projects, and KPIs that are relevant to the research project. Examples of focus areas could include developing new technologies, understanding customer behavior, or studying the effects of a particular policy.

2. Think about the objectives that could fall under that focus area

Objectives are the goals that a research team hopes to achieve by completing the research project. Objectives should be specific and measurable, and should be attainable within the timeline and budget of the research project. Examples of objectives could include developing a new technology, understanding customer behaviors, or studying the effects of a particular policy.

3. Set measurable targets (KPIs) to tackle the objective

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are measurable targets that are used to evaluate the progress of a research project. KPIs should be specific and measurable, and should be established in order to track progress towards the objectives of the research project. Examples of KPIs could include product development timelines, customer satisfaction surveys, or policy implementation reviews.

4. Implement related projects to achieve the KPIs

Projects are the activities that need to be completed in order to achieve the objectives of the research project. Projects should be specific and achievable, and should be completed within the timeline and budget of the research project. Examples of projects could include running customer surveys, conducting interviews, or collecting data.

5. Utilize Cascade Strategy Execution Platform to see faster results from your strategy

The Cascade Strategy Execution Platform is a comprehensive software that helps research teams plan, manage, and track their research projects. The platform provides tools for project management, tracking KPIs, and monitoring progress. It also helps teams visualize their data and collaborate on initiatives. With Cascade, teams can save time and resources, and get faster results from their strategies.

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Downloadable Templates and Tools for Clinical Research

Welcome to global health trials' tools and templates library. please note that this page has been updated for 2015 following a quality check and review of the templates, and many new ones have been added. please click on the orange text to download each template., the templates below have been shared by other groups, and are free to use and adapt for your researchstudies. please ensure that you read and adapt them carefully for your own setting, and that you reference global health trials and the global health network when you use them. to share your own templates and sops, or comment on these, please email [email protected]. we look forward to hearing from you.

These templates and tools are ordered by category, so please scroll down to find what you need.

To share your own templates and SOPs, or comment on these, please email [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

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This is Degena Bahrey Tadesse from Tigray, Ethiopia. I am new for this web I am assistant professor in Adult Health Nursing Could you share me the sample/templet research proposal for Global Research Nurses Pump-priming Grants 2023: Research Project Award

I have learned lot..Thanks..

i was wondering why there is no SOP on laboratory procedures ?

Hi, Can you provide me the SOP for electronic signatures in Clinical trial

Do you have an "SOP for Telephonic site selection visit". Kindly Share on my registered mail ID

Thank you for sharing the resources. It is very kind of you.

Hi These tolls are very useful! Thank you

Do you have a task and responsability matrix template for clinical trial managment ? Best

I am very much happy to find myself here as a clinician

Dear Getrude

We have a free 14-module course on research ethics on our training centre; you'll receive a certificate if you complete all the modules and quizzes. You can take it in your own time. Just visit 'Training centre' in the tabs above, then 'short courses'.

Kind regards The Editorial Team

need modules on free online gcp course on research ethics

Estimados: me parece excelente el aporte que han hecho dado que aporta. por un lado a mejorar la transparencia del trabajo como a facilitar el seguimiento y supervisión de los mismos. Muchas gracias por ello

We also have an up to date list of global health events available here: https://globalhealthtrials.tghn.org/community/training-events/

Dear Nazish

Thank you, I am glad you found the seminars and the training courses useful. We list many training events (all relevant to Global Health, and as many of them as possible are either free or subsidised) on the 'community' web pages above. Keep an eye on those for events and activities which you can get involved with. Also, if you post an 'introduction' on the introduction group stating where you are from and your research interests, we can keep you updated of relevant local events.

Thanks so much. These are very helpful seminars. Please let me know any other websites/links that provide free or inexpensive lectures on clinical Research. Appreciate your help.

Hi Nazish, and welcome to the Network. The items here are downloadable templates for you to use; it sounds like you may be seeking lectures and eLearning courses? If so - no problem! You can find free seminars with sound and slides here: https://globalhealthtrainingcentre.tghn.org/webinars/ , and you can find free, certified eLearning courses here: https://globalhealthtrials.tghn.org/elearning . Certificates are awarded for the eLearning courses for those scoring over 80% in the quiz at the end of each course. If you need anything else, do ask! Kind regards The Editorial Team

Hi, I am new to this website and also to the Clinical Research Industry for that matter I only am able to see the PDF of these courses, just wanted to know are these audio lectures and also happen to have audio clips that go with the pdf?

This site is impeccable and very useful for my job!!!!

Thank you for your kind comments.

Fantastic resources

I am delighted you found this website. I earlier introduced it to you because of your prolific interest in health care information and resource sharing....

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Top 5 Research Project Plan Templates with Samples and Examples

Samradni Pradhan

Research projects are essential to any business or organization's growth and success. Whether you're planning a market research study, conducting a scientific experiment, or developing a new product, a well-designed research project plan is vital to ensure that your project stays on track and achieves its objectives. With so many types of research projects, it can take some time to figure out where to start, when developing a project plan. That's where our PPT Templates come in. Using a pre-designed research project plan template can save time, reduce errors, and ensure that your project stays on track. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to the Top 5 Research Project Plan Templates with samples and examples, to help you choose the right template for your project. 

Additionally, if you want to explore some research plan templates, you can check them out  here !

Template 1: 30-60-90-Days Plan for Proposing and Designing Business Research Project Proposal

Here’s a comprehensive solution for anyone who wants to create a winning research proposal for their business project. This PPT Template contains all information, from the first initial planning stages to the final presentation of the proposal. The template is organized into three sections, each representing a different phase of the research project: the initial 30 days, the next 60 days, and the final 90 days. Each section includes an area that outlines the key tasks and deliverables for that phase of the project initiation . This PPT Layout acts as an essential tool for anyone who wants to create a compelling and effective research proposal. With its comprehensive structure, customizable slides, and engaging visuals, this template will help you win support for your project and take your business to the next level. Go ahead and download it right away!

Download Now!

Template 2: Plan Of Action for Designing and Proposing Business Research Project Services PPT Slideshow

Introducing a comprehensive and customizable solution for businesses and organizations looking to design and propose a research project. The template is divided into four stages: project initiation, research, analytics , and presentation. You can focus on your tasks and stay on track by comprehending information for each of these four stages. The PPT Slide also includes a range of graphics, charts, and diagrams that can be used to illustrate key points in the proposal visually. These graphics are designed to be easy to understand and visually appealing, making communicating complex ideas to stakeholders and decision-makers easier. This template will help you effectively plan, research , analyze, and present your research project, ensuring its success and a positive impact on your business or organization. Go ahead and grab this template today!

Template 3: Project Management Research Phases with Planning

Introducing an essential tool for businesses and organizations, looking to manage their research projects effectively. This comprehensive PPT Set is designed to guide users through each phase of the research project, from initiation to closing, ensuring that every aspect of the project is planned and executed efficiently. The template comprises five phases: initiation, planning, execution, controlling/monitoring, and closing. The initiation phase focuses on project plan creation and stakeholders' recognition. The planning phase comprises plan creation, resource identification, and cost projection. The execution phase includes information on task completion and resource acquisition. In the controlling/monitoring phase, reliability and expense estimates are tracked. Finally, stakeholder and resource management are included in the closing stage of project completion. This ensures that your work is correctly divided and also ensures that you focus on specific stages at the right time.

Template 4: Planning Process of Research Project Dissertation Timeline

Here is an all-in-one solution for anyone planning, organizing, and presenting a research project or dissertation. This PPT Template is designed to guide users through the four key stages of a research project: preparation, proposition, research, and drafting. The first stage, preparation, involves defining the research question or problem and developing a plan to tackle it. This stage includes creating a timeline, identifying key stakeholders and resources, and setting goals and objectives for the project. The proposition stage involves developing a proposal that outlines the research question, methods, and expected outcomes. The research stage involves conducting the research according to the methods and timeline established in the preparation and proposition stages. The drafting stage involves writing and presenting the final report, thesis, or dissertation. This stage includes organizing and structuring the report, developing key arguments and insights, and presenting the research findings clearly and engagingly. This template is a must-have for anyone!

Template 5: Six Months Plan Timeline for a Marketing Research Project

Next up, we have a comprehensive template that is designed to guide users through the six key stages of a marketing research project: planning, research design, data collection, data analysis, report writing, and presentation . Each stage contains a set of customizable blocks that outline the key tasks and deliverables for that phase of the project. This allows users to plan and execute each stage of the project efficiently, ensuring that the project ensures to stay on track and meets its objectives. Overall, this template outlines a bird's eye view of the entire project. Go ahead and explore this template today!

EXPLORE THESE PROJECT RESEARCH PLAN TEMPLATES TODAY!

A research project is a time-consuming task, and it requires that you to stay on track every step of the way. While each department in a business organization may have its own ideas, ensuring to have a comprehensive template works wonders. This is where the professionally designed templates work the best. Download these premium PPT Slides through our monthly, semi-annual, annual, annual + custom design subscriptions  here .

These project research plan templates can help you plan better, and with better planning comes better outcomes. These templates also help in creating a lasting impression in front of your audiences. There is nothing more you need to ask for; download these templates today!

FAQs on Research Plan

What is a research project plan.

A research project plan is a preemptive stage where you document the goals of your research project along with the objective of your project, what methods you are going to use, and the legitimate resources.

The whole idea of having a plan for a research project is to sketch down the mind map step-by-step, which you could refer to further progress with the project. A research plan also asks for a time period and budget to be set before proceeding, which is an efficient way of getting on a research project.

How do you write a research plan?

A research plan needs to be written systematically and sufficiently. Your research plan should be self-explanatory to whosoever is reading, the plan should be in the exact order you want to proceed in, and only enough should be written.

A well-written research plan should start with articulating the research question and, from there, proceed to mention the purpose, how your project is going to work, what resources you will require, grand of special permissions from organizations ( if needed), setting the deadline for each part to ending with the finance limitations for that project. 

What are the four significant parts of the research plan?

Even though a research plan varies from one project type to another, there are four significant parts that you must structure your plan around for getting optimal ease and clarity:

• Attach a background of your research question where you highlight the purpose and the gaps in the existing field to be fulfilled via this research project.
• Evaluating the research structure, methods you will use, equipment needed, working procedure, and how you will present your research project.
•  Time format: This part is where you assign a dedicated time period for finishing each goal in your research project. Here, you can set deadlines for minute tasks to end tasks.
• Counting in the resources, this is one of the most significant parts of the research plan where you point out the funding, equipment, references, permissions, or any data and artifacts needed for your research project.

What are the seven steps for creating a research plan?

Creating a research plan can get tricky, especially when you are at a very initial stage with your idea for the project. Hence, to make that process more approachable for generating a research plan:

• First, you must briefly introduce your research question.
• Thoroughly conduct research on the study area to identify the gaps and gain the needed knowledge.
• Apply for the grants and permissions you will require to conduct your research project securely.
• Finalize the resources important for your project, from funding, finding mentors, types of equipment, and so on.
• The next step is to plan out the experiments you will be conducting in the process.
• Filtering through all the collected data to come up with the most authentic ones.
• Citing the used resources in a standard format that is accepted. Examples- APA, Chicago, MLA, etc.

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