Research Data Management in Kenya's Agricultural Research Institutes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine research data management (RDM) in Kenya's agricultural research institutes with the view to proposing interventions to improve management, sharing, and reuse of agricultural research output. The objectives of the study were twofold: to assess the status of research data management in Kenya's agricultural research institutes and to determine the legal and policy framework, ICT infrastructure, and human capital available to facilitate RDM in Kenya's agricultural research institutes. The findings of the study revealed that RDM legal framework did not exist in the institutes surveyed; the RDM policies and regulations were not updated as necessary; the institutes suffered from inadequacies of technical infrastructure, skills, and collaborative partnerships. The study recommended, among others, the establishment of a formal data governance structure to address RDM issues, institutional and policy framework for RDM, capacity building programs, incentives for researchers, and a sound technical infrastructure.