Research data management at the University of Bristol

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Hiom ◽  
Dom Fripp ◽  
Stephen Gray ◽  
Kellie Snow ◽  
Damian Steer
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Planning ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Funded Project ◽  
University Of Bristol ◽  
The University

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to chart the development of research data management services within the University of Bristol, from the initial Jisc-funded project, through to pilot service and planned core funding of the service. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a case study of the approach of the University of Bristol Library service to develop a sustainable Research Data Service. Findings – It outlines the services developed during the project and pilot phases of the service. In particular it focuses on the sustainability planning to ensure that research data management is embedded as a core university service. Originality/value – The case study provides practical advice and valuable insights into the issues and experiences of ensuring that research data management is properly valued and supported within universities.

scholarly journals Building a research data management service for the London school of hygiene & tropical medicine

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth Knight
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Tropical Medicine ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
London School ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Time Investment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of work performed at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to set-up a Research Data Management Service and tailor it to the needs of health researchers. Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the motivations for establishing the RDM Service and outlines the three objectives that were set to improve data management practice within the institution. Each of the objectives are explored in turn, stating how they were addressed. Findings – A university with limited resources can operate a RDM Service that pro-actively supports researchers wishing to manage research data by monitoring evolving support needs, identifying common trends and developing resources that will reduce the time investment needed. The institution-wide survey identified a need for guidance on developing data documentation and archiving research data following project completion. Analysis of ongoing support requests identifies a need for guidance on data management plans and complying with journal sharing requirements. Research limitations/implications – The paper provides a case study of a single institution. The results may not be generally applicable to universities that support other disciplines. Practical implications – The case study may be helpful in helping other universities to establish an RDM Service using limited resources. Originality/value – The paper outlines how the evolving data management needs of public health researchers can be identified and a strategy that can be adopted by an RDM Service to efficiently address these requirements.

scholarly journals Recordkeeping and research data management: a review of perspectives

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Grant
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
Historical Perspectives ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore a range of perspectives on the relationship between research data and records and between recordkeeping and research data management. Design/methodology/approach This paper discusses literature in the field of research data management as part of preliminary work for the author’s doctoral research on the topic. The literature included in the review reflects contemporary and historical perspectives on the management and preservation of research data. Findings Preliminary findings indicate that records professionals have been involved in the management and preservation of research data since the early twentieth century. In the literature, research data is described as comparable to records, and records professionals are widely acknowledged to have skills and expertise which are applicable to research data management. Records professionals are one of a number of professions addressing research data management. However, they are not currently considered to be leaders in research data management practice. Originality/value Research data management is an emerging challenge as stakeholders in the research lifecycle increasingly mandate the publication of open, transparent research. Recent developments such as the publication of the OCLC report “The Archival Advantage: Integrating Archival Expertise into Management of Born-digital Library Materials”, and the creation of the Research Data Alliance Interest Group Archives and Records Professionals for Research Data indicates that research data is, or can be, within the remit of records professionals. This paper represents a snapshot of contemporary and historical attitudes towards research data and recordkeeping and thus contributes to this emerging area of discussion.

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.

Data literacy and management of research data – a prerequisite for the sharing of research data

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 322-341
Author(s):  
Agusta Palsdottir
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Professional Knowledge ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
The University

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the knowledge and attitude about research data management, the use of data management methods and the perceived need for support, in relation to participants’ field of research.Design/methodology/approachThis is a quantitative study. Data were collected by an email survey and sent to 792 academic researchers and doctoral students. Total response rate was 18% (N = 139). The measurement instrument consisted of six sets of questions: about data management plans, the assignment of additional information to research data, about metadata, standard file naming systems, training at data management methods and the storing of research data.FindingsThe main finding is that knowledge about the procedures of data management is limited, and data management is not a normal practice in the researcher's work. They were, however, in general, of the opinion that the university should take the lead by recommending and offering access to the necessary tools of data management. Taken together, the results indicate that there is an urgent need to increase the researcher's understanding of the importance of data management that is based on professional knowledge and to provide them with resources and training that enables them to make effective and productive use of data management methods.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey was sent to all members of the population but not a sample of it. Because of the response rate, the results cannot be generalized to all researchers at the university. Nevertheless, the findings may provide an important understanding about their research data procedures, in particular what characterizes their knowledge about data management and attitude towards it.Practical implicationsAwareness of these issues is essential for information specialists at academic libraries, together with other units within the universities, to be able to design infrastructures and develop services that suit the needs of the research community. The findings can be used, to develop data policies and services, based on professional knowledge of best practices and recognized standards that assist the research community at data management.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the existing literature about research data management by examining the results by participants’ field of research. Recognition of the issues is critical in order for information specialists in collaboration with universities to design relevant infrastructures and services for academics and doctoral students that can promote their research data management.

Research data management at a public university in Malawi: the role of “three hands”

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 467-485
Author(s):  
Winner Dominic Chawinga ◽  
Sandy Zinn
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Data Storage ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Public University ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
The University

PurposeConsidering that research data is increasingly hailed as an important raw material for current and future science discoveries, many research stakeholders have joined forces to create mechanisms for preserving it. However, regardless of generating rich research data, Africa lags behind in research data management thereby potentially losing most of this valuable data. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the research data management practices at a Malawian public university with the aim to recommend appropriate data management strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe study is inspired by the pragmatic school of thought thereby adopting quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Quantitative data was collected using a questionnaire from 150 researchers and 25 librarians while qualitative data was collected by conducting an interview with the Director of Research.FindingsResearchers are actively involved in research activities thereby generating large quantities of research data. Although researchers are willing to share their data, only a handful follow through. Data preservation is poor because the university uses high risk data storage facilities, namely personal computers, flash disks, emails and external hard drives. Researchers and librarians lacked core research data-management competencies because of the lack of formal and information training opportunities. Challenges that frustrate research data-management efforts are many but the key ones include absence of research data management policies, lack of incentives, lack of skills and unavailability of data infrastructure.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's findings are based on one out of four public universities in the country; hence, the findings may not adequately address the status of research data management practices in the other universities.Practical implicationsConsidering that the university under study and its counterparts in Malawi and Africa in general operate somewhat in a similar economic and technological environment, these findings could be used as a reference point for other universities intending to introduce research data management initiatives.Originality/valueWith seemingly limited studies about research data management in Africa and particularly in Malawi, the study sets the tone for research data management debates and initiatives in the country and other African countries.

scholarly journals Research Data Management as a “wicked problem”

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 356-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Awre ◽  
Jim Baxter ◽  
Brian Clifford ◽  
Janette Colclough ◽  
Andrew Cox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Research Administration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Depth Response

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the usefulness of the concept to thinking about Research Data Management (RDM). The concept of “wicked problems” seeks to differentiate very complex, intractable challenges from tamer issues where approaches to problem solving are well-understood. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on and co-authored by a collaboration of practitioners from libraries, information technology and research administration, with facilitators from the Sheffield Information School. Participants worked together in two-day-long workshops to understand the wicked problem concept and advice on leadership in wicked problem contexts. Findings – Participants concurred that RDM had many features of a wicked problem and most of Grint’s advice on leadership for wicked problems also resonated. Some elements of the issue were simple; participants were optimistic about improving the situation over time. Participants were resistant to the more negative or fatalistic connotations of the phrase “wicked problem”. Viewing RDM as a wicked problem is an interesting way of looking at it as a challenge for support professionals. Practical implications – The notion of a wicked problem is a generative concept that can be usefully added to professional vocabulary. Originality/value – The paper captures an in-depth response from practitioners to the notion of wicked problems as a lens for examining RDM.

scholarly journals Exploring digital preservation requirements

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaana Pinnick
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Digital Preservation ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Mixed Methods Case Study ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Digital Asset

Purpose The aim of this paper was to explore digital preservation requirements within the wider National Geoscience Data Centre (NGDC) organisational framework in preparation for developing a preservation policy and integrating associated preservation workflows throughout the existing research data management processes. This case study is based on an MSc dissertation research undertaken at Northumbria University. Design/methodology/approach This mixed methods case study used quantitative and qualitative data to explore the preservation requirements and triangulation to strengthen the design validity. Corporate and the wider scientific priorities were identified through literature and a stakeholder survey. Organisational preparedness was investigated through staff interviews. Findings Stakeholders expect data to be reliable, reusable and available in preferred formats. To ensure digital continuity, the creation of high-quality metadata is critical, and data depositors need data management training to achieve this. Recommendations include completing a risk assessment, creating a digital asset register and a technology watch to mitigate against risks. Research limitations/implications The main constraint in this study is the lack of generalisability of results. As the NGDC is a unique organisation, it may not be possible to generalise the organisational findings, although those relating to research data management may be transferrable. Originality/value This research examines the specific nature of geoscience data retention requirements and looks at existing NGDC procedures in terms of enhancing digital continuity, providing new knowledge on the preservation requirements for a number of national datasets.

scholarly journals Archiving South African digital research data: How ready are we?

2016 ◽  
Vol Volume 112 (Number 7/8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret M. Koopman ◽  
Karin de Jager ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Data Archiving ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
The University ◽  
Digital Research

Abstract Digital data archiving and research data management have become increasingly important for institutions in South Africa, particularly after the announcement by the National Research Foundation, one of the principal South African academic research funders, recommending these actions for the research that they fund. A case study undertaken during the latter half of 2014, among the biological sciences researchers at a South African university, explored the state of data management and archiving at this institution and the readiness of researchers to engage with sharing their digital research data through repositories. It was found that while some researchers were already engaged with digital data archiving in repositories, neither researchers nor the university had implemented systematic research data management.

scholarly journals How long can we build it? Ensuring usability of a scientific code base

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Klaus Rechert ◽  
Jurek Oberhauser ◽  
Rafael Gieschke
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Source Code ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Scientific Contribution ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
Code Base

Software and in particular source code became an important component of scientific publications and henceforth is now subject of research data management.  Maintaining source code such that it remains a usable and a valuable scientific contribution is and remains a huge task. Not all code contributions can be actively maintained forever. Eventually, there will be a significant backlog of legacy source-code. In this article we analyse the requirements for applying the concept of long-term reusability to source code. We use simple case study to identify gaps and provide a technical infrastructure based on emulator to support automated builds of historic software in form of source code.  

scholarly journals From Project to Strategic Vision: Taking the Lead in Research Data Management Support at the University of Sydney Library

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Norman ◽  
Kate Valentine Stanton
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Strategic Vision ◽  
Research Data Management ◽  
The Commons ◽  
The University ◽  
Project Partner

This paper explores three stories, each occurring a year apart, illustrating an evolution toward a strategic vision for Library leadership in supporting research data management at the University of Sydney. The three stories describe activities undertaken throughout the Seeding the Commons project and beyond, as the establishment of ongoing roles and responsibilities transition the Library from project partner to strategic leader in the delivery of research data management support. Each story exposes key ingredients that characterise research data management support: researcher engagement; partnerships; and the complementary roles of policy and practice.

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