A README serves as a guidebook, written in a simple text format (.txt) or in Markdown (.md), that provides an overview and explanation of your research project or published data. It typically outlines the project’s background, context, and the process of data collection, and includes a license that specifies the terms for reusing the data. Positioned alongside the data files, the README file invites users to delve into its contents to gain a comprehensive understanding of the research project. It’s designed to be easily accessible and readable to anyone.
Why create a README?
READMEs prove to be invaluable when you return to your projects. For instance, during the publication process of a peer-reviewed journal article, you might need to address queries from reviewers about your research data. By documenting information in a README while you gather and process your data, you ensure that you can recall your actions and their reasons, thereby facilitating responses to any requests for integrity or verification.
When it comes to data publication or sharing, supplying a README file is beneficial. It allows others to understand the contents of the data files, their connection to specific aspects of the research, the relationships between files, the data generation process, any processing, or transformations applied to the data files, and any access or viewing restrictions, if applicable.
What to include in a README
A well-structured README file should typically include the following sections:
1. Project Title: The name of your project.
2. Introduction: A brief description of the project and its purpose.
3. Background: Details about the context and background of the project.
4. Data Collection: Information about how the data was collected, including the methods used, the period of data collection, and any relevant details about the data sources.
5. Data Description: A detailed description of the data, including the types of data included, the format of the data, and any key variables or features.
6. File Structure: An overview of the file structure of the project, including the names and purposes of all main files and folders.
7. Usage: Instructions on how to use the data or run any code included in the project.
8. License: Information about the license governing the use and distribution of the data.
9. Contact Information: Contact details for the person or team responsible for the project, for users who have further questions or need additional information.
The goal of a README is to provide enough information for others to understand and use your project effectively. It should be clear, concise, and written in a way that is accessible to your intended audience.
Cornell University offers a README template to get you started.
