scholarly journals Automating Research Data Management Using Machine-Actionable Data Management Plans

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Tomasz Miksa ◽  
Simon Oblasser ◽  
Andreas Rauber

Many research funders mandate researchers to create and maintain data management plans (DMPs) for research projects that describe how research data is managed to ensure its reusability. A DMP, being a static textual document, is difficult to act upon and can quickly become obsolete and impractical to maintain. A new generation of machine-actionable DMPs (maDMPs) was therefore proposed by the Research Data Alliance to enable automated integration of information and updates. maDMPs open up a variety of use cases enabling interoperability of research systems and automation of data management tasks. In this article, we describe a system for machine-actionable data management planning in an institutional context. We identify common use cases within research that can be automated to benefit from machine-actionability of DMPs. We propose a reference architecture of an maDMP support system that can be embedded into an institutional research data management infrastructure. The system semi-automates creation and maintenance of DMPs, and thus eases the burden for the stakeholders responsible for various DMP elements. We evaluate the proposed system in a case study conducted at the largest technical university in Austria and quantify to what extent the DMP templates provided by the European Commission and a national funding body can be pre-filled. The proof-of-concept implementation shows that maDMP workflows can be semi-automated, thus workload on involved parties can be reduced and quality of information increased. The results are especially relevant to decision makers and infrastructure operators who want to design information systems in a systematic way that can utilize the full potential of maDMPs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37
Author(s):  
Armel Lefebvre ◽  
Baharak Bakhtiari ◽  
Marco Spruit

AbstractResearch data management planning (RDMP) is the process through which researchers first get acquainted with research data management (RDM) matters. In recent years, public funding agencies have implemented governmental policies for removing barriers to access to scientific information. Researchers applying for funding at public funding agencies need to define a strategy for guaranteeing that the acquired funds also yield high-quality and reusable research data. To achieve that, funding bodies ask researchers to elaborate on data management needs in documents called data management plans (DMP). In this study, we explore several organizational and technological challenges occurring during the planning phase of research data management, more precisely during the grant submission process. By doing so, we deepen our understanding of a crucial process within research data management and broaden our understanding of the current stakeholders, practices, and challenges in RDMP.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minna Ahokas ◽  
Mari Elisa Kuusniemi ◽  
Jari Friman

Many research funders have requirements for data sharing and data management plans (DMP). DMP tools are services built to help researchers to create data management plans fitting their needs and based on funder and/or organisation guidelines. Project Tuuli (2015–2017) has provided DMPTuuli, a data management planning tool for Finnish researchers and research organisations offering DMP templates and guidance. In this paper we describe how project has helped both Finnish researchers and research organisations adopt research data management best practices. As a result of the project we have also created a national Tuuli network. With growing competence and collaboration of the network, the project has reached most of its goals. The project has also actively promoted DMP support and training in Finnish research organisations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Barbrow ◽  
Denise Brush ◽  
Julie Goldman

Research in many academic fields today generates large amounts of data. These data not only must be processed and analyzed by the researchers, but also managed throughout the data life cycle. Recently, some academic libraries have begun to offer research data management (RDM) services to their communities. Often, this service starts with helping faculty write data management plans, now required by many federal granting agencies. Libraries with more developed services may work with researchers as they decide how to archive and share data once the grant work is complete.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviane Santos de Oliveira Veiga ◽  
Patricia Henning ◽  
Simone Dib ◽  
Erick Penedo ◽  
Jefferson Da Costa Lima ◽  
...  

RESUMO Este artigo trás para discussão o papel dos planos de gestão de dados como instrumento facilitador da gestão dos dados durante todo o ciclo de vida da pesquisa. A abertura de dados de pesquisa é pauta prioritária nas agendas científicas, por ampliar tanto a visibilidade e transparência das investigações, como a capacidade de reprodutibilidade e reuso dos dados em novas pesquisas. Nesse contexto, os princípios FAIR, um acrônimo para ‘Findable’, ‘Accessible’, ‘Interoperable’ e ‘Reusable’ é fundamental por estabelecerem orientações basilares e norteadoras na gestão, curadoria e preservação dos dados de pesquisa direcionados para o compartilhamento e o reuso. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar uma proposta de template de Plano de Gestão de Dados, alinhado aos princípios FAIR, para a Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. A metodologia utilizada é de natureza bibliográfica e de análise documental de diversos planos de gestão de dados europeus. Concluímos que a adoção de um plano de gestão nas práticas cientificas de universidades e instituições de pesquisa é fundamental. No entanto, para tirar maior proveito dessa atividade é necessário contar com a participação de todos os atores envolvidos no processo, além disso, esse plano de gestão deve ser machine-actionable, ou seja, acionável por máquina.Palavras-chave: Plano de Gestão de Dados; Dado de Pesquisa; Princípios FAIR; PGD Acionável por Máquina; Ciência Aberta.ABSTRACT This article proposes to discuss the role of data management plans as a tool to facilitate data management during researches life cycle. Today, research data opening is a primary agenda at scientific agencies as it may boost investigations’ visibility and transparency as well as the ability to reproduce and reuse its data on new researches. Within this context, FAIR principles, an acronym for Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable, is paramount, as it establishes basic and guiding orientations for research data management, curatorship and preservation with an intent on its sharing and reuse. The current work intends to present to the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz a new Data Management Plan template proposal, aligned with FAIR principles. The methodology used is bibliographical research and documental analysis of several European data management plans. We conclude that the adoption of a management plan on universities and research institutions scientific activities is paramount. However, to be fully benefited from this activity, all actors involved in the process must participate, and, on top of that, this plan must be machine-actionable.Keywords: Data Management Plan; Research Data; FAIR Principles; DMP Machine-Actionable; Open Science.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rozália Zeller ◽  
Szabolcs Hoczopán ◽  
Gyula Nagy

Following the national and international trends in mid-2020 the Klebelsberg Kuno Library of the University of Szeged has also started to deal with the issue of research data management. After thorough self-training the library staff studied the Hungarian and international best practices of managing research data. We tried to assess the needs of the institutional research data management habits and the opinion of the researchers of SZTE with a comprehensive questionnaire. We compiled a comprehensive questionnaire to assess the needs of our researchers, learn what they’re thinking about RDM and what kind of practices regarding RDM already exist in the research community. By evaluating the questionnaire we have determined the areas in which the library could provide professional assistance where there was a real need among researchers. Keeping in mind the needs of the research community of University of Szeged we have decided to develop the following services: copyright consulting, RDM trainings for PhD students, theoretical and methodological assistance for RDM, write institutional FAIR data management recommendations. The last four services have been successfully implemented. We also wrote a feasibility study to assess the possibilities of developing our own institutional data repository.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Blackwood

Universities within the California State University System are given the mandate to teach the students of the state, as is the case with many regional, public universities. This mandate places teaching first; however, research and scholarship are still required activities for reaching retention, tenure, and promotion, as well as important skills for students to practice. Data management instruction for both faculty and undergraduates is often omitted at these institutions, which fall outside of the R1 designation. This happens for a variety of reasons, including personnel and resource limitations. Such limitations disproportionately burden students from underrepresented populations, who are more heavily represented at these institutions. These students have pathways to graduate school and the digital economy, like their counterparts at R1s; thus, they are also in need of research data management skills. This paper describes and provides a scalable, low-resource model for data management instruction from the university library and integrated into a department’s capstone or final project curriculum. In the case study, students and their instructors participated in workshops and submitted data management plans as a requirement of their final project. The analysis will analyze the results of the project and focus on the broader implications of integrating research data management into undergraduate curriculum at public, regional universities. By working with faculty to integrate data management practices into their curricula, librarians reach both students and faculty members with best practices for research data management. This work also contributes to a more equitable and sustainable research landscape.


2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Lyon

In this paper, Liz Lyon explores how libraries can re-shape to better reflect the requirements and challenges of today’s data-centric research landscape. The Informatics Transform presents five assertions as potential pathways to change, which will help libraries to re-position, re-profile, and re-structure to better address research data management challenges. The paper deconstructs the institutional research lifecycle and describes a portfolio of ten data support services which libraries can deliver to support the research lifecycle phases. Institutional roles and responsibilities for research data management are also unpacked, building on the framework from the earlier Dealing with Data Report. Finally, the paper examines critical capacity and capability challenges and proposes some innovative steps to addressing the significant skills gaps.


Author(s):  
Barb Znamirowski

In March 2021 the Tri-Agency released its Research Data Management Policy, including its three pillar requirements. This article reviews some key points from the Alliance RDM (Portage Network) workshop "Putting the Tri-Agency Policy into Practice: Workshopping Your Institutional Research Data Management Strategy."


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Hermin Triasih ◽  
Rahmi Rahmi ◽  
Katrin Setio Devi

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-247
Author(s):  
Fernando Rios

Many large research universities provide research data management (RDM) support services for researchers. These may include support for data management planning, best practices (e.g., organization, support, and storage), archiving, sharing, and publication. However, these data-focused services may under-emphasize the importance of the software that is created to analyse said data. This is problematic for several reasons. First, because software is an integral part of research across all disciplines, it undermines the ability of said research to be understood, verified, and reused by others (and perhaps even the researcher themselves). Second, it may result in less visibility and credit for those involved in creating the software. A third reason is related to stewardship: if there is no clear process for how, when, and where the software associated with research can be accessed and who will be responsible for maintaining such access, important details of the research may be lost over time. This article presents the process by which the RDM services unit of a large research university addressed the lack of emphasis on software and source code in their existing service offerings. The greatest challenges were related to the need to incorporate software into existing data-oriented service workflows while minimizing additional resources required, and the nascent state of software curation and archiving in a data management context. The problem was addressed from four directions: building an understanding of software curation and preservation from various viewpoints (e.g., video games, software engineering), building a conceptual model of software preservation to guide service decisions, implementing software-related services, and documenting and evaluating the work to build expertise and establish a standard service level.


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