Within the scope of research projects, the raw data commonly used in materials testing are generated in the form of predominantly open formats (e.g. ASCII, csv or TIF). During data collection, not only experimental findings and data derived from them are taken into account, but also the methods used. All research data are compiled, documented and archived in accordance with the current quality assurance guidelines of the DFG (Guidelines for Assuring Good Scientific Practice - Code and Derived Documents).

The applicant or the project workers will document all data from the project in folders and save them on the servers of the WWHK and the computer center (backup) of Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences to ensure long-term availability and later use of all collected research data. The handling of all accruing data follows the FAIR principle (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-Usable). The data are made available to researchers on request via restricted access (authorization: read/download).

For the data obtained in the research project, all phases of data acquisition and processing will be documented. Results will be stored in file types common to the respective test or measurement systems or software used, and will be converted to an open file format (e.g., .txt or .csv) for sustainable and comprehensive future usability. The use of metadata enables targeted searching of research data and accessibility to other researchers* even after the project period has ended. In addition, all data is stored in a standardized best-practice folder structure. Each file is identified using the following labeling system: yymmdd-APi (where dd is the day of the month, mm is the month, yy is the year, AP is the work package number, and i is the sample number). Data backup will be implemented on the server with restricted access to preclude accidental deletion for at least the next ten years. It will be further documented which data will be used in publications and reports to ensure data transparency both towards funding agencies/project sponsors and towards reviewers*. In addition, the results obtained are published, preferably in journals with scientific quality assurance (peer review). All activities related to research data management are accompanied and supported by the university's FDM steward. Workshops on the concrete implementation of research data management are offered by the university at regular intervals and are mandatory for project staff.