This stage of the Research Process is a time for reviewing the RDM plan:
Collaborative research brings additional data management challenges for providing shared storage, access and the transfer of research data across the various partners or institutions. UK Data Service
Setting up a collaborative research environment
The list of typical requirements for researchers working in a collaborative environment.
Collaborative Research Environment (CRE) 
The Collaborative Research Environment provides a framework where researchers can collaboratively build and share research data and analyses in a safe and trusted environment.
Some of the elements within this CRE, as listed below, should be considered:
1. Use a discussion platform; preferably one that allows for forum/chat functionality 
It is imperative that the discussion platform is a provides a secure and trusted medium for collaboration.
An institutional or departmental drive where secure access can be provided to external researchers – for example, a share accessed via a Virtual Private Network (VPN). UK Data Service
A Virtual Research Environment (VRE) or portal environment, such as Basecamp, Clinked or Microsoft SharePoint. UK Data Service
The more common online discussion platforms:
2. The ability to organise documents and data files into folders 
Collaborators should use the same agreed-upon data capture formats
This allows for quick discovery and access to the data
3. Version control of documents and files 
Collaborators should use the same agreed-upon data capture formats
This allows for quick discovery and access to the data
4. An access control system, which allows authentication and authorisation to be easily managed 
This is particularly important for sensitive data
5. File locking to prevent users from simultaneoulsy working on the same file 
File locking allows changes to be made to documents and data by one person at a time. The advantage of this practice is to ensure the changes to be read first by colleagues before they in turn edit the work.
6. Collaboration, storage and the sharing of documents, including data files
Efficient and effective collaborative research environments require management of document sharing and storage. 
The more commonly used resources include GoogleDocs, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox
Advantages: Each of these applications are easy to set up and to use.
Disadvantages: Limited storage capacity; file and backup security concerns
7. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Use a discussion platform; preferably one that allows for forum/chat functionality
An institutional or departmental drive where secure access can be provided to external researchers – for example, a share accessed via a virtual private network (VPN). UK Data Service
A Virtual Research Environment (VRE) or portal environment, such as Basecamp, Huddle, Clinked or MS Sharepoint. UK Data Service
8. Data Sharing
Copyright is essential for data sharing and fair dealing
When data are shared or archived, the original copyright owner retains the copyright. UK Data Service
A data archive cannot archive data unless all rights holders are identified and give their permission for the data to be shared. Secondary users need to obtain copyright clearance before data can be reproduced. However, exceptions exist under the fair dealing concept. UK Data Service
9. Research data ownership 
Copyright is essential for data sharing and fair dealing
When data are shared or archived, the original copyright owner retains the copyright. UK Data Service
A data archive cannot archive data unless all rights holders are identified and give their permission for the data to be shared. Secondary users need to obtain copyright clearance before data can be reproduced. However, exceptions exist under the fair dealing concept. UK Data Service
Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that helps overcome legal obstacles to the sharing of knowledge and creativity to address the world’s pressing challenges.
Authors give away the copyright rights to their work to the publisher when the article is published in the traditional publication process.
However, when authors publish their work via the Open Access process, they retain the copyright of that work. It is important that authors assign a Creative Commons license to determine how their work may be used and shared.
