Identifying and Implementing Relevant Research Data Management Services for the Library at the University of Dodoma, Tanzania

Gilbert Exaud Mushi,Martie Van Deventer,Heila Pienaar

doi:10.5334/dsj-2020-001

Gilbert Exaud Mushi, Martie Van Deventer + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2020-001

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Abstract

Research Data Management (RDM) services are increasingly becoming a subject of interest for academic and research libraries globally – this is also the case in developing countries. The interest is motivated by a need to support research activities through data sharing and collaboration both locally and internationally. Many institutions, especially in the developed countries, have implemented RDM services to accelerate research and innovation through e-Research but extensive RDM is not so common in developing countries. In reality many African universities and research institutions are yet to implement the most basic of data management services. We believe that the absence of political will and national government mandates on data management often hold back the development and implementation of RDM services. Similarly, research funding agencies are not yet applying sufficient pressure to ensure that Africa complies with the requirement to deposit research data in trusted repositories. While the context was acknowledged the University of Dodoma library staff realized that it is urgent to prepare for the inevitable – the time when RDM will be a requirement for research funding support. This paper presents the results of research conducted at the University of Dodoma, Tanzania. The purpose of the research was to identify and report on relevant RDM services that need to be implemented so that researchers and university management could collaborate and make our research data accessible to the international community. This paper presents findings on important issues for consideration when planning to develop and implement RDM services at a developing country academic institution. The paper also mentions the requirements for the sustainability of these initiatives.

Highlights

The changing nature of research, which is moving from the physical or traditional to a digital research environment, has made it essential to plan for research data storage, data use and re-use as well as for collaboration with peers
In could be assumed that research data management (RDM) would be seen, by all, as a core function in this emerging research environment but to date, RDM has mostly been required by research funding agencies
This paper presents major findings on important issues for consideration when planning to develop and implement RDM services at an African university

Summary

Introduction

The changing nature of research, which is moving from the physical or traditional to a digital research environment, has made it essential to plan for research data storage, data use and re-use as well as for collaboration with peers. In could be assumed that research data management (RDM) would be seen, by all, as a core function in this emerging research environment but to date, RDM has mostly been required by research funding agencies. The requirement is that grant beneficiaries should preserve, share and make data accessible for re-use. The National Science Foundation in the United States of America (USA), the Australian National Data Service in Australia [ the Australian Research Data Commons] and the e-Science Core For funders the emphasis on RDM is, to ensure the efficient use of the available funds and the acceleration of research and innovation through the rich collaboration of researchers.

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