Data librarianship in South African academic and research libraries: a survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 401-416
Author(s):  
Elisha R.T. Chiware
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Library And Information Studies ◽  
Information Studies ◽  
Management Services

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to establish the current skills base of librarians working in research data management services in academic and research libraries in South Africa. The purpose was also to determine the relevance of courses and programmes that are currently being offered by library and information studies programmes in response to the needs of research data management services and make recommendations on curriculum improvement.Design/methodology/approachAbout 13 institutions which were considered early adopters of research data management services were identified as participants in an online survey. In addition, a review of Web pages of existing library and information studies schools was carried to establish courses that would support research data management services. Data collected through the two approaches were analysed and presented quantitatively and qualitatively.FindingsThe findings reveal an environment in a developmental stage, with limited skilled personnel to run research data management services. The findings also show an absence of specific data librarianship courses within existing library and information studies programmes and a very limited scope for the full range of data management courses within professional development programmes.Originality/valueThe paper provides information on approaches to further develop existing curriculum and contribute to the data management needs and support governments, funders and publishers' requirements for the discoverability and re-use of research data across research domains.

Open research data in African academic and research libraries: a literature analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 383-399
Author(s):  
Elisha R.T. Chiware
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Open Research ◽  
Research Infrastructures ◽  
Data Infrastructures ◽  
Management Services

PurposeThe paper presents a literature review on research data management services in African academic and research libraries on the backdrop of the advancing open science and open research data infrastructures. It provides areas of focus for library to support open research data.Design/methodology/approachThe literature analysis and future role of African libraries in research data management services were based on three areas as follows:open science, research infrastructures and open data infrastructures. Focussed literature searches were conducted across several electronic databases and discovery platforms, and a qualitative content analysis approach was used to explore the themes based on a coded list.FindingsThe review reports of an environment where open science in Africa is still at developmental stages. Research infrastructures face funding and technical challenges. Data management services are in formative stages with progress reported in a few countries where open science and research data management policies have emerged, cyber and data infrastructures are being developed and limited data librarianship courses are being taught.Originality/valueThe role of the academic and research libraries in Africa remains important in higher education and the national systems of research and innovation. Libraries should continue to align with institutional and national trends in response to the provision of data management services and as partners in the development of research infrastructures.

scholarly journals A critical analysis of lifecycle models of the research process and research data management

2018 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Martin Cox ◽  
Winnie Wan Ting Tam
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Library And Information Studies ◽  
Information Studies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Visualisations of research and research-related activities including research data management (RDM) as a lifecycle have proliferated in the last decade. The purpose of this paper is to offer a systematic analysis and critique of such models. Design/methodology/approach A framework for analysis synthesised from the literature presented and applied to nine examples. Findings The strengths of the lifecycle representation are to clarify stages in research and to capture key features of project-based research. Nevertheless, their weakness is that they typically mask various aspects of the complexity of research, constructing it as highly purposive, serial, uni-directional and occurring in a somewhat closed system. Other types of models such as spiral of knowledge creation or the data journey reveal other stories about research. It is suggested that we need to develop other metaphors and visualisations around research. Research limitations/implications The paper explores the strengths and weaknesses of the popular lifecycle model for research and RDM, and also considers alternative ways of representing them. Practical implications Librarians use lifecycle models to explain service offerings to users so the analysis will help them identify clearly the best type of representation for particular cases. The critique offered by the paper also reveals that because researchers do not necessarily identify with a lifecycle representation, alternative ways of representing research need to be developed. Originality/value The paper offers a systematic analysis of visualisations of research and RDM current in the Library and Information Studies literature revealing the strengths and weaknesses of the lifecycle metaphor.

scholarly journals Research data management in Turkey: perceptions and practices

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arsev Umur Aydinoglu ◽  
Guleda Dogan ◽  
Zehra Taskin
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Data Practices ◽  
The Subject

Purpose The massive increase in research data being produced nowadays has highlighted the importance of research data management (RDM) to science. Research data not only have to be cost effective but also reliable, discoverable, accessible, and reusable. In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceptions and practices of Turkish researchers on the subject of RDM. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was distributed to the academicians in 25 universities in Turkey, and 532 responses were gathered. Findings Results indicate that although Turkish researchers are aware of the benefits of data management, are willing to share their research data with certain groups, and have decent preservation habits, they express that they lack the technical skills and knowledge needed for RDM. In addition, no institutionalized support (staff, training, software, and hardware) is provided to researchers. Research limitations/implications A well-structured data strategy or policy that includes resource allocation (awareness, training, software/hardware) and is supported by Turkish research agencies is required for better data management practices among researchers in Turkey. Originality/value This is the first study that investigates the data practices of Turkish academics who produce around 30,000 scientific articles annually that are indexed by Web of Science. It contributes to the growing literature on RDM.

scholarly journals PROVIDING RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND PRACTICES AT PDDI-LIPI: PREPAREDNESS, ROLES, CHALLENGES, AND TRAINING

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Hermin Triasih ◽  
Rahmi Rahmi ◽  
Katrin Setio Devi
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Data Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Data Archiving ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
And Training ◽  
Management Services

This study aims to analyse the implementation of RDM at PDDI-LIPI and to assess its staff’s understanding about RDM services. This article also discusses the challenges and obstacles PDDI faces in providing RDM services. The data was collected via an online survey from 28 July to 7 August 2020. The survey consisted of 35 questions and was shared with 36 respondents via social media. The results identified categories such as research data management services, data management planning services, data archiving services, funding, and staff competency and training needs. In addition, this article also discusses the approach and assessment of RDM services, challenges in providing RDM services, and plans for further developing RDM services at PDDI-LIPI. The results showed that the PDDI staff's understanding of RDM services is adequate. As a new service, the implementation of RDM at PDDI-LIPI continues to develop toward optimisation. RIN is a platform used by PDDI to support this goal. The three biggest obstacles faced by PDDI-LIPI in developing RDM services are limited human resources, competence and budget.  Various trainings related to RDM, both sending staff off campus and inviting trainers to campus, were carried out by PDDI to overcome these obstacles. It is recommended to conduct further research on the mapping and upskilling of staff in charge of RDM services.

Research data management and research data literacy in Slovenian science

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Polona Vilar ◽  
Vlasta Zabukovec
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
National Level ◽  
Public Domain ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Ethical Question ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Literacy ◽  
Research Data Management

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences between scientific disciplines (SDs) in Slovenia in research data literacy (RDL) and research data management (RDM) to form recommendations regarding how to move things forward on the institutional and national level.Design/methodology/approachPurposive sample of active researchers was used from widest possible range of SD. Data were collected from April 21 to August 7, 2017, using 24-question online survey (5 demographic, 19 content questions (single/multiple choice and Likert scale type). Bivariate (ANOVA) and multivariate methods (clustering) were used.FindingsThe authors identified three perception-related and four behavior-related connections; this gave three clusters per area. First, perceptions – skeptical group, mainly social (SocS) and natural sciences (NatS): no clear RDM and ethical issues standpoints, do not agree that every university needs a data management plan (DMP). Careful group, again including mainly SocS and NatS: RDM is problematic and linked to ethical dilemmas, positive toward institutional DMPs. Convinced group, mainly from humanities (HUM), NatS, engineering (ENG) and medicine and health sciences (MedHeS): no problems regarding RDM, agrees this is an ethical question, is positive toward institutional DMP’s. Second, behaviors – sparse group, mainly from MedHeS, NatS and HUM, some agricultural scientists (AgS), and some SocS and ENG: do not tag data sets with metadata, do not use file-naming conventions/standards. Frequent group – many ENG, SocS, moderate numbers of NatS, very few AgS and only a few MedHeS and HUM: often use file-naming conventions/standards, version-control systems, have experience with public-domain data, are reluctant to use metadata with their RD. Slender group, mainly from AgS and NatS, moderate numbers of ENG, SocS and HUM, but no MedHeS: often use public-domain data, other three activities are rare.Research limitations/implicationsResearch could be expanded to a wider population, include other stakeholders and use qualitative methods.Practical implicationsResults are useful for international comparisons but also give foundations and recommendations on institutional and national RDM and RDL policies, implementations, and how to bring academic libraries into the picture. Identified differences suggest that different educational, awareness-raising and participatory approaches are needed for each group.Originality/valueThe findings offer valuable insight into RDM and RDL of Slovenian scientists, which have not yet been investigated in Slovenia.

Variability in academic research data management practices

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L. Whitmire ◽  
Michael Boock ◽  
Shan C. Sutton
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Progressive Development ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Basic Services

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how knowledge of local research data management (RDM) practices critically informs the progressive development of research data services (RDS) after basic services have already been established. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was distributed via e-mail to all university faculty in the fall of 2013, and was left open for just over one month. The authors sent two reminder e-mails before closing the survey. Survey data were downloaded from Qualtrics survey software and analyzed in R. Findings – In this paper, the authors reviewed a subset of survey findings that included data types, volume, and storage locations, RDM roles and responsibilities, and metadata practices. The authors found that Oregon State University (OSU) researchers are generating a wide variety of data types, and that practices vary between colleges. The authors discovered that faculty are not utilizing campus-wide storage infrastructure, and are maintaining their own storage servers in surprising numbers. Faculty-level research assistants perform the majority of data-related tasks at OSU, with the exception of data sharing, which is primarily handled by the professorial ranks. The authors found that many faculty on campus are creating metadata, but that there is a need to provide support in how to discover and create standardized metadata. Originality/value – This paper presents a novel example of how to efficiently move from establishing basic RDM services to providing more focussed services that meet specific local needs. It provides an approach for others to follow when tackling the difficult question of, “What next?” with regard to providing academic RDS.

scholarly journals Research data management: a bibliometric and altmetric study based on Dimensions

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Marília Catarina Andrade Gontijo ◽  
Raíssa Yuri Hamanaka ◽  
Ronaldo Ferreira De Araujo
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Data Management ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Scientific Production ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Library And Information Studies ◽  
Information Studies ◽  
Online Attention

Objective. This study aims to analyze the scientific production on research data management indexed in the Dimensions database. Design/Methodology/Approach. Using the term “research data management” in the Dimensions database, 677 articles were retrieved and analyzed employing bibliometric and altmetric indicators. The Altmetrics.com system was used to collect data from alternative virtual sources to measure the online attention received by the retrieved articles. Bibliometric networks from journals bibliographic coupling and keywords co-occurrence were generated using the VOSviewer software. Results/Discussion. Growth in scientific production over the period 1970-2021 was observed. The countries/regions with the highest rates of publications were the USA, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Among the most productive authors were Andrew Martin Cox, Stephen Pinfield, Marta Teperek, Mary Anne Kennan, and Amanda L. Whitmire. The most productive journals were the International Journal of Digital Curation, Journal of eScience Librarianship, and Data Science Journal, while the most representative research areas were Information and Computing Sciences, Information Systems, and Library and Information Studies. Conclusions. The multidisciplinarity in research data management was demonstrated by publications occurring in different fields of research, such as Information and Computing Sciences, Information Systems, Library and Information Studies, Medical and Health Sciences, and History and Archeology. About 60% of the publications had at least one citation, with a total of 3,598 citations found, featuring a growing academic impact. Originality/Value. This bibliometric and altmetric study allowed the analysis of the literature on research data management. The theme was investigated in the Dimensions database and analyzed using productivity, impact, and online attention indicators.

Diffusion and adoption of research data management services

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-133
Author(s):  
Jinfang Niu
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovations ◽  
Communication Channels ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Early Adopters ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Organization Networks ◽  
Management Services

Purpose This paper aims to identify the diffusion patterns, especially the communication channels, in the diffusion and adoption of research data management services (RDMS) among libraries. Design/methodology/approach Literature about the RDMS in individual libraries was gathered and analyzed. Data relevant to the research questions were extracted and analyzed. Findings Early adopters conduct much original research to create RDMS and they often serve as change agents in diffusing their RDMS and related innovations to other libraries. In contrast, late adopters usually learn from early adopters and use their innovations for establishing their own RDMS. Communication channels used in diffusing RDMS deviate slightly from those reported in general diffusion of innovations (DOI) theories. Research limitations/implications Gathered literature provides incomplete and uneven information for RDMS adopters. This makes it difficult to identify adopter categories and test many generalizations in DOI theories. To overcome these limitations, surveys and interviews will be conducted in the future. Originality/value Findings from this project contribute to general DOI theories because RDMS is unique compared with many other innovations. The diffusion of RDMS is a decentralized process that involves a high-degree of reinvention and it involves the generation and diffusion of many relevant innovations. The project also identified scholarly communication and inter-organization networks as new types of communication channels that are not well accounted for in existing DOI theories.

scholarly journals “How Do I Do That?” A Literature Review of Research Data Management Skill Gaps of Canadian Health Sciences Information Professionals

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-60
Author(s):  
Justin Fuhr
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Data Management ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Skill Gaps ◽  
Library And Information Studies ◽  
Information Studies ◽  
Canadian Health ◽  
Information Professionals

Abstract: There is a recognized need to provide research data management (RDM) services in health sciences libraries. A review of the literature reveals numerous strategies to provide training for health sciences librarians as they provide RDM services to health sciences researchers, faculty, and students. However, no consensus emerges through this literature review with respect to RDM training initiatives. With training initiatives being developed and documented, more in-depth research will emerge that verifies which initiatives have the greatest success for upskilling information professionals in managing research data. This is an area where future library and information studies research can be conducted. It is the hope that with this literature review, I can conduct my own survey to gain more perspective on RDM in a Canadian health sciences library context.

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