# Data papers: from raw files to a reusable Data Descriptor

Decision workbook and teaching example · 2026-10-06

The completed case is fictional. Its values and decisions are not actual findings; complete your project using relevant permissions, methods and requirements.

- Project: ____________________
- Researcher and role: ____________________
- Date and version: ____________________
- Data seen before the decision: ____________________
- Aim and scope: ____________________

## Completed example

| Stage/decision | Example | Check or action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Records | 12 entirely synthetic teaching records | Document actual provenance and sampling. |
| Dictionary | study_hours measured in hours | Define range and missing codes. |
| Checks | Unique IDs and scores between 0 and 100 | Save failures and actions. |
| Access | Shareable synthetic example | Assess actual permission and identification risk. |
| Reuse | Mean table from a fixed version | Provide expected output and limitations. |

## Complete your own record

| Topic | Actual decision and reason | Evidence link and status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Records | __________ | __________ |
| Dictionary | __________ | __________ |
| Checks | __________ | __________ |
| Access | __________ | __________ |
| Reuse | __________ | __________ |

## Completion checks

- [ ] A dataset package with dictionary and validation evidence.
- [ ] A generation-method and limitations description.
- [ ] Access, version and executable reuse documentation.

## Changes and limitations

| Date | Change | Data known at decision time | Reason | Consequence for claim | Reviewer |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |

## Sources and further reading

- [Scientific Data — Current submission guidelines](https://www.nature.com/sdata/publish/submission-guidelines)
- [Scientific Data — Guide to referees](https://www.nature.com/sdata/policies/for-referees)
- [Wilkinson et al. — The FAIR Guiding Principles (2016)](https://doi.org/10.1038/sdata.2016.18)
- [MIT Libraries — Write a data management plan](https://libraries.mit.edu/data-management/plan/write/)

Related guide: https://didgar-research-site1.vercel.app/en/guides/data-papers/