Folders & file names
Aim
To ensure a  well-organized file structure on the network.
Responsibilities
Executing researcher:Â
- Set up a clear and well-organised file structure and keep track of saving files in relevant folders with appropriate file names.
Project leader:Â
- Familiarise yourself with the file structure and ensure that the structure is/remains logical as the project progresses.
Research assistant:Â
- Consult executing researcher about relevant folders and file names.
How to
A well-organized file structure on the network helps you and others to retrieve files (quickly). To be able to benefit from this, it is important to start with a clear and well-organized structure when starting your research project. We strongly advise a structure based on the standard file structure. Examples of file structures are shown below and the standard file structure can be downloaded (as zip format) in Dutch or English (see under Download)In this standard file structure, also example documents can be found for the METC procedure, privacy regulation, liability insurance, etc.
It is best to work on the internal network of your host institution, because it is safe and accessible for your team members. If this is not desirable for some reason, e.g. because some team members are from other institutions and don’t have access to the internal drives, there are cloud options available, such as Surfdrive. Please contact a data manager if this is the case.
Think carefully about naming your files properly and work with version numbers, for instance, a protocol or an article, i.e. article v1, article v2. Or use the date, i.e. article 4Jan22, article 040122 (or article 220104).
See Intranet VUmc - Research datamanagement procedures en templates for templates and examples
See under Download for more information, examples and a standard file structure:
- Standard file structure (in Dutchor English)
- Examples folders and files
- Workshop ‘Naming things’