Project name or number (project-specific details to give additional research context to the file).Research team (details of the research team involved in the file's creation).Description (a brief, expository word or phrase about the file and/or its context).Creation date (the date and/or time when the file was created if the file name begins with the YYYYMMDD format, most file systems that automatically sort alphanumerically will order your files chronologically).

When it comes to deciding what information to record in the file name, there are several common file elements to consider including: Consistency includes selecting a naming convention and making sure that the rules are followed systematically by always including the same information (such as date and time) in the same order (e.g.Context could include content specific or descriptive information, independent of where the data are stored.Organisation of data file folders is important for future access and retrieval, and needs to take into account the naming constraints of the system where the file is located.There are three broad criteria to consider when structuring folders and naming research data files: Identifying how your data files will be organized is an important component of planning for data management. These strategies include using logical and consistent folder structures, predictable systems for file naming, and distinguishing different versions of data files from one another. Implementing strategies to organize and name your data files coherently will help make research data more accessible and meaningful, both now and into the future.

Final draft software data file location