# Data dictionary

Adapt these templates to your discipline, institutional rules and actual project.

## Variable name

Record exact column names and file version; justify merged labels.

Actual decision, rationale and evidence location: ____________________

## Definition and measurement time

Record construct, instrument, timing and raw/derived status.

Actual decision, rationale and evidence location: ____________________

## Type and units

Define type, units and date/decimal/category conventions.

Actual decision, rationale and evidence location: ____________________

## Range and permitted codes

Specify actual ranges and code meanings; do not impose the example range on unrelated data.

Actual decision, rationale and evidence location: ____________________

## Missingness and provenance

Explain missing codes, provenance, transformations and rights; −99 may be a code.

Actual decision, rationale and evidence location: ____________________

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## Related example and decision record

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 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Variable | score, points and measurement time | Is the actual definition documented? |
| Missingness | Documented code, not analyst assumption | Is conversion correct before calculation? |
| Transform | Code from raw to processed | Are changes counted? |
| Access | Research ID separate from identity | Are permissions and controls adequate? |
| Preservation | Versions, backup and restoration test | Does retention match project policy? |

## Complete your own record

| Topic | Actual decision and reason | Evidence link and status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Variable | __________ | __________ |
| Missingness | __________ | __________ |
| Transform | __________ | __________ |
| Access | __________ | __________ |
| Preservation | __________ | __________ |

## Completion checks

- [ ] Produce a dictionary, cleaning log and access/retention record.

## Changes and limitations

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

## Sources and further reading

- [MIT Libraries — Write a data management plan](https://libraries.mit.edu/data-management/plan/write/)
- [Cornell Data Services — Data management](https://data.research.cornell.edu/data-management/)
- [Cornell Data Services — Writing READMEs for Research Data](https://data.research.cornell.edu/data-management/sharing/readme/)

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