Implementing Data Management Workflows in Research Groups Through Integrated Library Consultancy

Joshua Borycz

doi:10.5334/dsj-2021-009

Abstract

Comprehensive research data management is fundamental to ensuring reproducible, open scientific research. However, sufficient research data assistance is often not offered at universities, and when offered, typically only provides basic services that are viewed as optional. Integrating information specialists into research groups provides a potentially promising means of improving data management by providing personalized data management workflows. Workflows are comprehensive, executable guides that require planning, implementation, feedback, and adaptation. Comprehensive data management workflows should include a file organization scheme, the creation of data management roles for members, a data storage/sharing guide, and training and evaluation. Librarians, who regularly interact with faculty and students and are familiar with data management tools, are uniquely situated to assist with the creation and assessment of these workflows.

Highlights

To facilitate the use of the data management workflows designed for the group, a group wiki should be used for the storage of important lab documents like the data role assignment list, lab notebooks, project updates, data management procedures, pre-prints, and published data
Creating workflows with library support should reduce barriers preventing primary investigator (PI) from taking full advantage of their data. Once in place these workflows should help faculty save a great deal of time, publish more papers, and increase the reproducibility and citation rates of their publications (Piwowar et al, 2007)
Effective data management workflows could give early adopters a competitive edge that would motivate other faculty to follow suit, which could change the practices of entire departments and universities

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Organizing and sharing research data is a fundamental part of the research process (Mons, 2020) that has been shown to increase citation rates for publications One interesting series of surveys by Tenopir et al demonstrated that scientists have positive views on data sharing in general, but do not wish to change their own practices (Tenopir et al, 2011; Tenopir, Christian, Allard, & Borycz, 2018; Tenopir et al, 2015) This is partly because their practices appear adequate and organizing and sharing data seems like a waste of time, but one of the most striking discoveries was that researchers did not know where to go for help when they wanted to find or share their data. Describing the successful implementation of research data management plans within academic research is an important step for determining the unique challenges and lessons that other information professionals might use to change practices in their institutions. Assessment of the workflows will be carried out by the librarian to make adaptations and improvements to the process

INITIAL INTERACTION

DATA MANAGEMENT WORKFLOWS

FILE ORGANIZATION AND NAMING SCHEME

DATA MANAGEMENT ROLES

FACILITATION AND TRAINING

CONCLUSIONS