Research Data Management Policy Research Articles

Research data management competencies of researchers in selected public universities in South Africa

PurposeIn today's global and competitive corporate environment characterised by rapidly changing information, knowledge and technology (IKT), researchers must be upskilled in all aspects of research data management (RDM). This study investigates a set of capabilities and competencies required by researchers at selected South African public universities, using the community capability model framework (CCMF) in conjunction with the digital curation centre (DCC) lifecycle model.Design/methodology/approachThe post-positivist paradigm was used in the study, which used both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Case studies, both qualitative and quantitative, were used as research methods. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic rules and regulations, semi-structured interviews with 23 study participants were conducted online via Microsoft Teams to collect qualitative data, and questionnaires were converted into Google Forms and emailed to 30 National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers to collect quantitative data.FindingsParticipating institutions are still in the initial stages of providing RDM services. Most researchers are unaware of how long their institutions retain research data, and they store and backup their research data on personal computers, emails and external storage devices. Data management, research methodology, data curation, metadata skills and technical skills are critically important RDM competency requirements for both staff and researchers. Adequate infrastructure, as well as human resources and capital, are in short supply. There are no specific capacity-building programmes or strategies for developing RDM skills at the moment, and a lack of data curation skills is a major challenge in providing RDM.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study can be applied widely in research, teaching and learning. Furthermore, the research could help shape RDM strategy and policy in South Africa and elsewhere.Originality/valueThe scope, subject matter and application of this study contribute to its originality and novelty.

Towards FAIR Research Data in Metrology

Good data management is necessary to maintain the trustworthiness and reliability of data. This is particularly important in metrology, the science of measurement, which ensures stable, comparable, coherent, and traceable measurement results. The digitalization of metrology has increased the demand for structured and harmonised research data management (RDM).
 To meet this demand, the project TC-IM 1449 "Research data management in European metrology" was established in 2018. The project aims to promote good RDM practices underpinned by the FAIR principles, supporting  traceability and reproducibility of measurement results. For that purpose, the project is providing researchers with the knowledge, competency, awareness, and tools to implement good RDM practices.
 The project has formulated a vision for RDM in metrology for the support of scientists by developing and disseminating recommendations and in the organisation of training. As part of this vision, the project has produced several deliverables, including a template research data management policy, guidelines for data documentation, creation of metadata, and quality assurance for data publication. The project is also creating a comprehensive guide to RDM, a checklist for project coordinators, and providing training modules.
 The project's activities reflect the needs of metrologists that are collated and communicated by the technical experts from the relevant Technical Committees and European Metrology Networks. Furthermore, the project's deliverables will be an invaluable resource for researchers seeking to effectively manage and share their research data.

The Impact of Key Stakeholders and the Computer Skills of Librarians on Research Data Management Support Services (Id so-21-1893.r2)

This study aims to investigate key stakeholders’ impact and to assess its effect on Research Data Management (RDM), thereby setting the agenda for sound local government Research Data Management (RDM) policy for maximum profit. This study relies mainly on the stakeholder’ theory. Our target population is stakeholders in RDM. The survey used the Partial Least Squares and Structural Equation Modeling tool with a sample of 295 received from respondents to find the effect among the stakeholders. The Statistical results confirmed there is a positive effect among stakeholders. The Funders agencies criteria influence researchers’ work. The effect of government support policies on librarians RDM support services was positive but not significant. The impact of computer literacy of librarians on the RDM support service delivered by librarians was insignificant. The finding is mainly due to overreliance on manual approach to work in most libraries in Ghana as a result inadequate fund support. Librarians need to take a leading role in RDM to implement RDM policy fully. This study contributes to the discourse by helping to strengthen the existing relationship and also to understand the role of various stakeholders in RDM. Stakeholders in Ghana and developing countries need to take greater responsibility to achieve success. Government can rely on it for policy formulation. The research can be used to expand the existing stakeholders’ effective support and interactions as well as in teaching. The survey results can also help identify best practices, improve current observation, and compare practices across different countries.

The landscape of research data management services in Malaysian academic libraries: librarians’ practices and roles

PurposeThe debate about academic librarians’ roles in research data management (RDM) services is currently relevant, especially in the context of making research data findable, accessible, interoperable and reproducible. This study aims to explore the RDM services offered by Malaysian academic libraries and the implementation progress based on the librarians’ practices and roles.Design/methodology/approachThis descriptive study involves three sequential forms of data collection: a website analysis of 20 academic libraries relating to RDM services, training and policy; an online survey of the academic libraries’ RDM implementation progress; and semi-structured interviews with three academic librarians to gauge their practices and roles in RDM services.FindingsMalaysian academic libraries provide RDM services based on their related or basic skills which are bibliographic management tools, institutional repository and openness of research data rather than impacted services to support RDM, such as data analysis, data citation, data mining or data visualisation services. Although the librarians were aware of RDM and their roles in research data services, the progress of practicing and implementation of the RDM services still has not been fully delivered to support the main RDM elements.Practical implicationsThis study illustrates the RDM roadmap on the current landscape of areas and types of services that the libraries are doing well. The list of services can be used and implemented as the best practices or strategies to be applied within Malaysian academic libraries.Originality/valueThis study highlights the gaps of RDM services in Malaysian academic libraries. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, as this is the first study in Malaysia that articulates the case of RDM services in academic libraries, it has paved the way for further research.

Evaluation of Research Data Management (RDM) services in academic libraries of India: A triangulation approach

Research is a planned and scientific method of increasing knowledge that is typically funded by a country's government or funding agencies. Research activity produces valuable data. Research Data Services (RDS) or Research Data Management (RDM) services are considered vital services provided by an academic library and are focused on the management, archiving, processing, and reuse of critical research data. This study evaluates the current status of the adaptation of RDS or RDM services in Indian academic libraries (which includes a total of 186 institutions, including all of India's Central Universities (54) and Institutes of National Importance (132)). A method triangulation approach was used for the data collection, including a literature survey, library website study, online survey, and telephonic interview with LIS professionals from Indian academic libraries. Academic libraries in India are yet to keep up with those in developed countries in adopting RDM services owing to a lack of RDM policy, institutional support, and technological challenges, according to the data. The study also presents suggestions to decision-makers, higher authorities of academic institutions, and the government to develop a strong RDM policy at both the institutional and national levels defining the role and duties of the libraries in RDM.

Practices Before Policy: Research Data Management Behaviours in Canada

In anticipation of the then forthcoming Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy, a consortium of professionals from Canadian university libraries surveyed researchers on their research data management (RDM) practices, attitudes, and interest in data management services. Data collected from three surveys targeting researchers in science and engineering, humanities and social sciences, and health sciences and medicine were compiled to create a national dataset. The present study is the first large-scale survey investigating researcher RDM practices in Canada, and one of the few recent multi-institutional and multidisciplinary surveys on this topic. This article presents the results of the survey to assess researcher readiness to meet RDM policy requirements, namely the preparation of data management plans (DMPs) and data deposit in a digital repository. The survey results also highlight common trends  across the country while revealing differences in practices and attitudes between disciplines. Based on our survey results, most researchers would have to change their RDM behaviors to meet Tri-Agency RDM policy requirements. The data we gathered provides insights that can help institutions prioritize service development and infrastructure that will meet researcher needs.  

Development strategies as catalysts for provision of the RDM services in the South African higher education institutions

A strategy in this paper was viewed as a plan of action for achieving the mission and vision of an organisation. This paper presents preliminary findings of the larger study which aimed to determine the strategies for research data management (RDM) at selected universities in KwaZulu-Natal. The current study used the community capability maturity model framework (CCMF) and the digital curation centre (DCC) lifecycle model as theoretical support to determine the strategies for RDM service provision with specific reference to the University of Zululand. The interpretive paradigm, following the qualitative research approach through a single case study, was used. Primary data was gathered through online interviews using Zoom and Teams with Librarians, Technicians, HODs, and DVC Research due to the Covid-19 pandemic and availability of technologies. The findings of the study revealed the University of Zululand does not have an RDM policy; however, research activities are practiced. The University lacks the infrastructure and investment to support RDM services and activities. The study is significant for providing the background for developing RDM in the public university through RDM strategy and policy. The findings also sought to inform the university’s RDM agenda.

Getting a Grip on Research Data Management

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."

Research data management and sharing awareness, attitude, and behavior of academic researchers

This study assesses the research data management (RDM) awareness, attitude, practices, and behaviors of Pakistan's academic researchers. By using an internationally designed structured questionnaire as a data collection instrument. Quantitative survey research method was opted to meet the research objectives and data was collected from academicians and researchers of four premier universities of Pakistan. The study reveals used and produced data file formats, data acquisition sources, data storage patterns, metadata and tagging practices, data sharing patterns, RDM awareness, attitude, and behavior of the respondents by investigating the self-opinion of respondents on extensive sets of structured questionnaire items. It is a comprehensive assessment of the phenomenon from a developing country's perspective where research data management policies are absent at national and institutional level. The findings have theoretical implications for researchers and practical implications for policymakers, university administrators, university library administrators, and educational trainers.

Research data management practice in higher education institutions in Ethiopia

There is increasing pressure from funders, publishers, the public and other research organizations on researchers to improve their research data management. The main objective of the study was to examine the practices of research data management at higher education institutions in Ethiopia. The study was employed multi-stage sampling technique to select the actual sample unit of respondents. Eight first generation Universities and one Science and Technology University were selected based on purposive sampling technique. 390 faculty member and 119 stakeholder respondents were selected based on simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The findings revealed that majority of faculty members were used and produced spreadsheet and structured scientific and statistical research data formats. Majority of faculty members were used their personal device to hold their research data. The findings indicated that majority of faculty members were identified their needs of research data management services such as, data management template, storage facilities, research data management policy, guidelines and providing training. The level of awareness on research data management among faculty members was very low. The study concludes that proper research data management is not being practiced. Further research can be done on research data management framework at higher education institutions.

Research data management (RDM) in Jordanian public university libraries: Present status, challenges and future perspectives

Aim/purposeThe present investigation was undertaken to find the existing position including the policies, practices and the issues and concerns of librarians in collecting, processing and archiving the research data in public university libraries in Jordan. BackgroundResearch is the bastion of scientific growth and development of a society and the data is its chief ingredient which communicates the results and inferences of the research. The research process is directly interrelated with the data life cycle and the two cannot be segregated. Keeping the importance of the curation and management of the research data and the trivial policy interests of the funding agencies and the governments, the current study was undertaken to explore the Research Data Management (RDM) status and practices in Jordan. MethodologyThe study used the online questionnaire to get the opinions and the prevailing state of affairs from the librarians/heads of the libraries in the public universities. ContributionThe study is an eye opener for the higher education commission in Jordan to design the policies and suitable guidelines for streamlining the RDM system in the country especially the Public and Private Universities. It can be pursued for the exploration of RDM practices and policies in similar other Middle East countries for determining the issues and challenges in implementing the RDM policies in their research institutes. FindingsIt revealed that the Jordan lags RDM polices at all fronts of government, institutional as well as that of the funding agencies which hinders all the progress and growth of RDM in university libraries. However, keeping all the obstacles and the challenges aside, the Jordanian Public University Libraries (JPUL) are providing RDM services, although on a limited scale, at different levels of curating only some valuable research data, preserving and providing access to the preferred users through online platforms substituting the data repositories. There is a lack of national and international RDM policies and ineffective implementation. Coupled with this, is the wider gap between the required skills and the available skills among the library staff which can be filled by conducting suitable training programs and workshops on continuous basis to impart the skills required to manage RDM practices in libraries. Further improvements in providing the effective RDM services is the need among the JPUL and similar may be the case in other middle east countries including the development of infrastructure, policy framing, designing of data repository, specialized courses on data archiving, data cataloguing, data sharing, etc. while protecting the intellectual property rights. Future researchThe similar studies can be explored to find the existing policies and the loopholes in implementation of national and international policies of data management in different research institutes. The more important area would be to pursue the role of funding agencies and the framing of suitable policies regarding the data curation and management of their funded projects. Research implicationsThe distinction of the present research study can be considered by the fact that there is a lack of sufficient studies in Jordanian universities which can present a comprehensive proclamation on the processes and policies adopted by the libraries for research data collection, archiving and its accessibility. The study can help initiating the new policies regarding the data management tools and techniques in Jordan as we witness in some of the well developed countries of the world and even there are many courses running on research data management and its implementation in universities. Relevance of the present studyThe results of the present study can be used by other libraries especially in designing and developing the strategies of research data management which can help improving the data re-use and sharing in Jordan universities for secondary analysis. It can also help in refocusing the data and its immense value among research community. Besides, it can also help the research funding agencies and the government of the country to make policy decisions regarding the submission of reports along with the data so as to save lot of human efforts and resources for collecting and collating the necessary data for conducting researchers in future. The study will be helpful in reducing the financial burden of research projects of different funding agencies which otherwise are spending hugely on data collection, surveys, questionnaire designing, pilot studies, interviews, etc.

Shifting Horizons: A Literature Review of Research Data Management Train-the-Trainer Models for Library and Campus-Wide Research Support Staff in Canadian Institutions

Objective – In consideration of emerging national Research Data Management (RDM) policy and infrastructure, this literature review seeks answers to the following questions: 1) What is the most effective way for a Canadian research university to build capacity among library and campus-wide research support staff, with a view towards providing coordinated RDM support services for our researcher community?2) What international training models and course offerings are available and appropriate for a local context?3) What national guidelines and best practices for pedagogical design and delivery can be adapted for a local context? Methods – This literature review synthesizes a total of 13 sources: 9 articles, 2 book chapters, and 2 whitepapers. The whitepapers were selected for a narrative literature review because of their focus on case studies detailing train-the-trainer models. Within the 13 sources we found 14 key case studies. This review serves as a supplement to the 2017 CARL Portage Training Expert Group white paper, “Research Data Management Training Landscape in Canada,” the focus of which was to identify RDM training gaps in order to recommend a coordinated approach to RDM training in a national environment. Results – The narrative review of case studies revealed three thematic areas. Firstly, pedagogical challenges were identified, including the need to target training to RDM support staff such as librarians and researchers, as they comprise distinct groups of trainees with divergent disciplinary vocabularies and incentives for training. Secondly, the case studies cover a broad range of pedagogical models including single or multiple sessions, self-directed or instructor-led, in-person or online instruction, and a hybrid of the two. Finally, RDM training also emerged as a key factor in community building within library staff units, among service units on campus, and with campus research communities. Conclusion – RDM training programs at local institutions should be guided by a set of principles aligned with the training methods, modes of assessment, and infrastructure development timeline outlined in a national training strategy. When adapting principles and training strategies to a local context, the following trends in the literature should be considered: librarians and researchers must have meaningful incentives to undertake training in RDM or to join a community of practice; disciplinary-specific instruction is preferable to general instruction; a librarian’s own training opportunities will influence their ability to provide discipline-specific RDM instruction to researchers; in-person training opportunities improve learning retention and produce beneficial secondary effects, whereas online instruction is most effective when paired with an in-person component; generalized third-party RDM training should be adapted to local context to be meaningful. Future directions for RDM training will integrate into open access and digital scholarship training, and into cross-disciplinary, open science communities of practice.

Ensuring the success of data sharing in Canada

The Canadian federal Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy has recently been released. This will require Canadian universities and other research institutes to create and share strategic plans regarding data management and to equip their researchers with skills to complete data deposits. To help maximize the success of data sharing we outline five domains for research institutions to consider during implementation: training and education, paying for data sharing, audit and feedback, meta-science, and career advancement.

Research Data Management Policy and Practice in China


 On April 2, 2018, the State Council of China formally released a national research data management (RDM) policy “Measures for Managing Scientific Data”. Literature review shows that university libraries have played an important role in supporting Research Data Management at an institutional level in countries in North America, Europe and Australasia. The aim of this paper is to capture the current status of RDM in Chinese universities, in particular how university libraries have involved in taking the agenda forward.
 This paper uses mixed methods: a website analysis of university policies and services; a questionnaire for university librarians; and semi-structured interviews. Findings from website analysis and questionnaires indicate that RDS at a local level in Chinese Universities are in their infancy. On the whole there is more evidence of activity in developing data repositories than support services. Despite the existence of a national policy there remain significant barriers to further service development, such as the lag in the creation of local policy, insufficient funding for technical infrastructure, shortages of staff skills in data curation, and language barriers to international data sharing and open science. RDS in Chinese university libraries are still lagging behind the English-speaking countries and Europe.

Archivists Managing Research Data? a Survey of Irish Organisations


 This paper describes a survey undertaken in 2017 to establish which research data management policies and practices were in place at Irish organisations; the extent to which archivists and records managers were employed to manage research data at those organisations; and the impact that archival skills have on research data management at an organisation. The paper describes the survey methods and data analysis, and presents findings including the presence of archivists and records managers at more than half of the surveyed organisations. Next steps for the research are also outlined.

Research data management policy and practice in Chinese university libraries

AbstractOn April 2, 2018, the State Council of China formally released a national Research Data Management (RDM) policy “Measures for Managing Scientific Data”. In this context and given that university libraries have played an important role in supporting RDM at an institutional level in North America, Europe, and Australasia, the aim of this article is to explore the current status of RDM in Chinese universities, in particular how university libraries have been involved in taking the agenda forward. This article uses a mixed‐methods data collection approach and draws on a website analysis of university policies and services; a questionnaire for university librarians; and semi‐structured interviews. Findings indicate that Research Data Service at a local level in Chinese Universities are in their infancy. There is more evidence of activity in developing data repositories than support services. There is little development of local policy. Among the explanations of this may be the existence of a national‐level infrastructure for some subject disciplines, the lack of professionalization of librarianship, and the relatively weak resonance of openness as an idea in the Chinese context.

Research data management policies in USA, UK and Australia universities: An online survey

There has been an increase in demand for research data management (RDM) policies to improve the quality of research data however, there is no clear-cut policy content to guide the process. The purpose of this study is to identify the existing RDM policies. Specifically, the study compares and differentiates the RDM policies in three developed nations (USA, UK and Australia) to ascertain how the policies vary. The RDM policies of 100 universities from the three countries, that are present online were retrieved and content analysis approach using NVivo and SPSS were performed. The results from the analysis revealed that the common underlying facts of the policies were found in the areas of access, retention, sharing, storage and ownership. All the universities share the same core values in the management of their research. They exhibit that Data Management Plan (DMP) is essential. The study concluded that the differences in the data management are mostly issues of focus areas. More so, there is no fixed retention period for research data. To resolve the few differences identified, common criteria for data management is proposed for policy considerations to ensure compliance. Finding from the study is significant to developing countries as it adds to the discourse on data management policies. The study will also enable policy makers in developing countries to draw empirical evidence from the developed world on RDM and this will form a basis for policy direction.

Open research data in African academic and research libraries: a literature analysis

PurposeThe paper presents a literature review on research data management services in African academic and research libraries on the backdrop of the advancing open science and open research data infrastructures. It provides areas of focus for library to support open research data.Design/methodology/approachThe literature analysis and future role of African libraries in research data management services were based on three areas as follows:open science, research infrastructures and open data infrastructures. Focussed literature searches were conducted across several electronic databases and discovery platforms, and a qualitative content analysis approach was used to explore the themes based on a coded list.FindingsThe review reports of an environment where open science in Africa is still at developmental stages. Research infrastructures face funding and technical challenges. Data management services are in formative stages with progress reported in a few countries where open science and research data management policies have emerged, cyber and data infrastructures are being developed and limited data librarianship courses are being taught.Originality/valueThe role of the academic and research libraries in Africa remains important in higher education and the national systems of research and innovation. Libraries should continue to align with institutional and national trends in response to the provision of data management services and as partners in the development of research infrastructures.

Research data management at an African medical university: Implications for academic librarianship

The study investigates and provides results on the current status of research data management at a medical school in a developing African country. The study focusses on four aspects of research data management: generation; preservation and backup; competencies; and challenges. Quantitative data collected using a questionnaire from 84 health researchers and 16 librarians was complemented by qualitative data gathered through conducting structured interviews with the Director of Research of the university. The study results provide the research community with a better understanding of research data management perspectives amongst health researchers in a developing country. This could help research data management stakeholders to adopt better strategies for championing research data management activities in this particular country and in other developing countries. The study notes that the current research data management status creates an opportunity for an academic library to consolidate and fortify its widely viewed natural role in research data management. In view of the findings, the study proposes that the adoption of research data management policies is essential in inspiring the conceptualisation, popularisation, adoption, and operationalisation of various research data management activities within the African university environment.

Challenges and Practices of Research Data Management in Selected Iraq Universities

Research emphasises the fundamental role of research data management (RDM) in enhancing academic and scientific research. This paper intended to examine RDM in Iraqi Universities, identify the current challenges of RDM and propose influential RDM practices. Data collection employed a self-administered questionnaires distributed to 155 postgraduate students and 20 faculty members from five universities in Iraq. Research findings revealed that there is a lack of proper RDM. Postgraduate students and researchers were managing their own research data. Main challenges of maintaining a good RDM involve lack of guidelines on effective RDM practices, insufficient of adequate human resources, technological obsolescence, insecure and inefficient infrastructure, lack of financial resources, absence of research data management policies and lack of support by institutional authorities and researchers negatively influenced on research data management. Postgraduate students and researchers recommend building research data repositories and collaboration with other universities and research organisations.