What is a minimal but essential element of a research data management plan?

• A. Publication venue
• B. Data collection, storage, backup, preservation, and sharing policies
• C. Budget plan
• D. Research question

Answer: (B)

A data management plan centers on how data are handled from collection through preservation and sharing. Clear policies for data collection, storage, backup, long-term preservation, and facilitated sharing ensure data stay usable, trustworthy, and accessible for verification and reuse long after the project ends. This element is the essential piece because it directly dictates the practical handling of data across its entire lifecycle, supporting reproducibility and future discovery.

Other aspects like where you publish results, the project budget, or the exact research question describe dissemination, costs, or aims, but they don’t specify the concrete data lifecycle practices that keep data usable over time.