Research data management practices of faculty members in Ghanaian universities

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the current research data management practices among researchers in Ghana and their impact on data reuse and collaborative research. The study aims to identify the methods used by researchers to store and preserve their research data, as well as to determine the extent to which researchers share their data with others.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a mixed-method research strategy to blend qualitative and quantitative data and is conducted at two public and two private universities in Ghana.FindingsThe study revealed that researchers in Ghana currently store and preserve their research data using personal devices, such as laptops, CDs and external flash drives, rather than keeping the data in university data repositories. They also do not share their research data with others, which negatively affects collaborative research. The current practice of storing data on personal devices and not sharing data with others hinders collaborative research. The study recommends that universities in Ghana revise their research policy documents to address RDM-related issues such as data storage, data preservation, data sharing and data reuse.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted at two public and two private universities in Ghana, but the findings were placed in a wider context through appropriate references.Practical implicationsThis study emphasises the need for sound research data management procedures to support research collaboration and data reuse in Ghana. Universities should provide incentives to academics to disclose their data to encourage data sharing and collaboration.Social implicationsThe government and management of universities should consciously invest in the needed technologies and equipment to implement research data management in their universities.Originality/valueThis study looks at how researchers in Ghana manage their research data and how it affects data reuse and collaborative research.