Australian research institutions, including Torrens University, require proper management of research data throughout all stages of research projects. Key points include:

1. Researchers and HDR candidates are responsible for managing data generated during their research.
2. Research data must be retained and stored appropriately to:
   • Establish accuracy and veracity of findings
   • Allow scrutiny and testing of methods
   • Enable sharing of results
3. Torrens University supports efficient and compliant data management by providing:
   • Specific resources
   • Technology designed for research management

These practices ensure research integrity, reproducibility, and the ability to validate and build upon findings.

Qualtrics

Qualtrics is software that can create online surveys for research.

Access

To request access, please email AnalyticsAndInsights@torrens.edu.au.

Also, let them know:

• How many survey responses are you expecting to collect?
• How are you planning to distribute the survey to respondents?
• Which users would need to be created for the project? Please let me know their emails.
• For how long Qualtrics access will be needed?

Support

• Official Qualtrics support
• Official Qualtrics research center

SPSS

SPSS is a software platform used for statistical data management and analysis.

Access

• Staff - SPSS can be installed on a TUA asset; lodge an IT request (managers are requested to submit on behalf of staff)
• HDR students - Supervisors can lodge a request with HDR Centre

Support

• Official SPSS documentation
• There is 24-hour chat assistance available from this page if you experience any technical difficulties

NVivo

NVivo is a qualitative data analysis software. 

Access

• Staff - Lodge an IT request (managers are requested to submit on behalf of staff)
• HDR students - Supervisors can lodge a request with HDR Centre

Support

• Official NVivo Getting started basics

Mendeley

Mendeley is a reference manager and a citation tool which can help organise your citations and references.

Access

Access instructions can be found in the Mendeley Libguide.

Support

• Mendeley Libguide - comprehensive guide on how to set up and use Mendeley
• Library online workshops - includes sessions on how to use Mendeley
• Library how-to videos
• Official Mendeley guides

A Research Data Management Plan outlines:

• Data to be created during a research project
• Methods of data creation
• Plans for data sharing and preservation
• Any necessary data restrictions

Torrens University provides a specific template for researchers to create these plans. They can be developed to:

• Support new funding applications
• Initiate a project
• Formalize procedures for ongoing projects

This planning helps ensure proper data handling throughout the research lifecycle.