Research Data Management (RDM): File Naming for Qualitative Data

If you have large numbers of files of different types, you should produce a document describing the file naming convention used for the research and provide background information about each item (individual interview, focus group, photograph etc.) which is usually indicated in the file names.

Additionally, you should always present background information in separate documents.

Consistency of naming

The benefit of consistent naming of data files is that it is easier to identify all files connected to one data collection event (e.g. one interview).

The files related to one collection event (e.g. audio tape, its transcription and photographs that were taken by the interviewee) can be connected by the file name.

The most convenient way is to give all files connected to the same event an 'event identifier' in the beginning of the name, that is, in the first part of the name. The latter part of the name can be used to convey the specifics, for instance, whether it is an audio tape, transcription or a still image:

Example:

20130311_interview2_audio.wav

20130311_interview2_trans.rtf

20130311_interview2_image.jpg

Documenting data file conventions

An example of how to document the data file conventions you use:

NB: The above convention is just an example. It is not a convention governed by CDU.

Detailed information and instructions about all aspects of best practice in Processing Qualitative Data Files are provided by Finnish Social Science Data Archive, 2016.