Research Data Management Services Research Articles

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.

State of Research Data Management Practices in the Top-ranked Higher Education Institutions in India

Due to the vast amounts of data generated during research activities and mandates obtained from funding agencies, higher education institutions put a high priority on research data management (RDM). RDM is prioritized by global organizations, and India is no exception. The current work aims to address the current state of RDM in the top-ranked higher education institutions (HEIs) of India and attempts to answer the research questions posed on various aspects of RDM, such as RDM services, policy implementation, responsible stakeholders, funding support for RDM strategy and development, and so on. Furthermore, unlike most of the existing literature, the development of RDM capacity is viewed as an institutional concern in this study rather than a library concern. The survey and website analysis approaches were used to conduct this study. The outcomes of the study show that RDM is still in its early stage among India’s leading institutions.

Diseño del servicio de Gestión de Datos de Investigación en la Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas: propuesta desde el Sistema de Bibliotecas

Research data management has involved early and immediate actions in higher education institutions in Colombia and around the world. In August 2022, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Colombia published the National Open Science Policy, in which its goals and strategies express the implementation of research data management services and data repository. This research defines the research data management service at the Francisco José de Caldas District University, a public university with a population of about 28,000 students and more than 200 research groups. Through the TOPE reference methodology (Tecnology, Organization, People, Environment) an urgent need to define policies, training and accompanying strategies for the management of research data was identified, as well as support for research bodies and libraries within the institution; the diagnosis of research data published by researchers of the institution allowed to identify 599 datasets published in the last 12 years in different repositories as Mendeley Data, Zenodo, SiB Colombia - GBIF Colombia for, finally, define, using the Business Process Management Notation methodology, the approach of the institution-wide research data management service. This research poses a scenario of response to national policy and establishes new routes aimed at developing a level of maturity at the institutional level regarding the management of research data in an open science context.

Research Data Management Services in the Indian Institute of Technology Libraries

Research Data Management Services in the Indian Institute of Technology Libraries

The Effects of Research Data Management Services: Associating the Data Curation Lifecycle with Open Research Output

The Effects of Research Data Management Services: Associating the Data Curation Lifecycle with Open Research Output

RDM in a Decentralised University Ecosystem—A Case Study of the University of Cologne

The University of Cologne (UoC) has historically grown in highly decentralised structures. This is reflected by a two-layered library structure as well as by a number of decentralised research data management (RDM) activities established on the faculty and research consortium level. With the aim to foster networking, cooperation, and synergies between existing activities, a university-wide RDM will be established. A one-year feasibility study was commissioned by the Rectorate in 2016 and carried out by the department research management, library and computing centre. One study outcome was the adoption of a university-wide research data guideline. Based on a comprehensive RDM service portfolio, measures were developed to put a central RDM into practice. The challenges have been to find the right level of integration and adaptation of existing and established decentralised structures and to develop additional new structures and services. We will report on first steps to map out central RDM practices at the UoC and to develop a structure of cooperation between loosely coupled information infrastructure actors. Central elements of this structure are a competence center, an RDM expert network, a forum for exchange about RDM and associated topics as well as the faculties with their decentralized, domain-specific RDM services. The Cologne Competence Center for Research Data Management (C³RDM) was founded at the end of 2018 and is still in its development phase. It provides a one-stop entry point for all questions regarding RDM. The center itself provides basic and generic RDM services, such as training, consulting, and data publication support, and acts as a hub to the decentral experts, information infrastructure actors, and resources.

Research Data Management: A Case Study Examining Aerospace, Industrial and Mechanical Science Engineering Faculty Research Practices

ABSTRACT This study explores data management perspectives of aerospace, industrial and mechanical science engineering faculty affiliated with (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)). The author conducted fourteen semi-structured interviews and analyzed them using a qualitative inductive coding method. This study builds upon previous work and seeks to explore how the elements of data management planning align with researchers’ workflow, challenges, and awareness to research data services. Overall, the goal of this study is to gain a better understanding of these researcher’s data management practices and enhance the research data services provided to faculty and research groups. All these responses inform existing research data management services.

Big data-driven investigation into the maturity of library research data services (RDS)

Research data management (RDM) poses a significant challenge for academic organizations. The creation of library research data services (RDS) requires assessment of their maturity, i.e., the primary objective of this study. Its authors have set out to probe the nationwide level of library RDS maturity, based on the RDS maturity model, as proposed by Cox et al. (2019), while making use of natural language processing (NLP) tools, typical for big data analysis. The secondary objective consisted in determining the actual suitability of the above-referenced tools for this particular type of assessment. Web scraping, based on 72 keywords, and completed twice, allowed the authors to select from the list of 320 libraries that run RDS, i.e., 38 (2021) and 42 (2022), respectively. The content of the websites run by the academic libraries offering a scope of RDM services was then appraised in some depth. The findings allowed the authors to identify the geographical distribution of RDS (academic centers of various sizes), a scope of activities undertaken in the area of research data (divided into three clusters, i.e., compliance, stewardship, and transformation), and overall potential for their prospective enhancement. Although the present study was carried within a single country only (Poland), its protocol may easily be adapted for use in any other countries, with a view to making a viable comparison of pertinent findings.

A FAIR Digital Object Lab Software Stack

A FAIR Digital Object Lab Software Stack

Privacy protection throughout the research data life cycle

Introduction. The sharing and reuse of research data is gradually becoming best practice in research. However, multiple frictions exist between realising stakeholders’ ambitions for research and research data sharing and addressing legal, social and cultural imperatives for protecting data subjects’ privacy. Through identifying and addressing frictions between personal privacy and research, our paper offers advice to research data management services on how to approach personal privacy in research data, sharing using the research data life cycle as the context. Method. A three-phase Delphi study on a population comprising twenty-four stakeholders involved in research data curation in Norway. Data were collected during three consecutive rounds over fourteen months. Analysis. The data were analysed qualitatively using themes following exploratory sequential design methods. After three rounds of data collection, the entire corpus of data were connected and analysed thematically according to integrated analysis. Results. The findings show multiple tensions between maintaining research subjects’ right to privacy and advancing research through data sharing. This paper identifies and analyses three particular sources of tension: 1) maintaining trust with the research participants, 2) managing divergent views of privacy in international and intercultural research collaborations and 3) interpreting and applying policy. The divergent motivations and perspectives on privacy held by different stakeholders complicate these tensions. Conclusions. Researchers, research data management support staff and data organizations must reconcile these motivations and resolve tensions throughout the data life cycle, from collection to archiving and eventual sharing. Through dialogue and negotiation, all stakeholders involved in data sharing should aim to respect the research subjects’ own understandings of privacy.

Developing research data management services in a regional comprehensive university: The case of Central Washington University

This study aims to analyze the needs of researchers in a regional comprehensive university for research data management services; discuss the options for developing a research data management program at the university; and then propose a phased three-year implementation plan for the university libraries. The method was to design a survey to collect information from researchers and assess and evaluate their needs for research data management services. The results show that researchers’ needs in a regional comprehensive university could be quite different from those of researchers in a research-intensive university. Also, the results verify the hypothesis that researchers in the regional comprehensive university would welcome the libraries offering managed data services for the research community. Therefore, this study suggests a phased three-year implementation plan. The significance of the study is that it can give some insights and helpful information for regional comprehensive universities that are planning to develop a research data management program.

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.

Characterizing the research data management practices of NIH biomedical researchers indicates the need for better support at laboratory level.

The study investigated the research data management (RDM) practices of biomedical researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) representing various biomedical disciplines. This study aimed to analyse the state of biomedical researchers' RDM practices based on RDM practice levels (individual, laboratory, institution and external). The findings of the study are expected to provide directions to information professionals for effective RDM services. Semi-structured interviews with 11 researchers were conducted. The interviews were analysed by levels of RDM practices. The findings revealed that biomedical researchers focus on storing and sharing data and that RDM is performed mainly at the individual level. There seems to be a lack of laboratory level RDM system that allows consistent RDM practices among researchers. External RDM practice is often challenged by not having one responsible for RDM. Findings suggested a need for an agreed RDM system and customized support, particularly at the laboratory level. Also, institutional support can help researchers prepare for long term data preservation. Our suggestions emphasize the importance of RDM training and support for long term data preservation, especially at the laboratory level.

Exploring the Determinants of Blockchain Acceptance for Research Data Management

ABSTRACT Researchers are highly interested in research data management to derive excellent research results. This study analyzes the determinants affecting the acceptance of blockchain-based electronic lab notebooks service as research data management service. A research model was established based on the technology acceptance model. The sample is collected by 585 researchers from universities and research institutes in Korea. The main research results showed that the usefulness and ease of use lowered the perceived risk and increased the intention to use. Social norms also decreased perceived risk factors and increased intention to use. Research implications are that managers should seek ways to lower the technical risks of blockchain when developing blockchain-based services. In addition, they have to allow users to easily use blockchain-based services and recommend them to other users around them.

Data Services Librarians’ Responsibilities and Perspectives on Research Data Management

This study of data services librarians is part of a series of studies examining the current roles and perspectives on Research Data Management (RDM) services in higher education. Reviewing current best practices provides insights into the role-based responsibilities for RDM services that data services librarians perform, as well as ways to improve and create new services to meet the needs of their respective university communities. Objectives: The objectives of this article are to provide the context of research data services through a review of past studies, explain how they informed this qualitative study, and provide the methods and results of the current study. This study provides an in-depth overview of the overall job responsibilities of data services librarians and as well as their perspectives on RDM through job analyses. Methods: Job analysis interviews provide insight and context to the tasks employees do as described in their own words. Interviews with 10 data services librarians recruited from the top 10 public and top 10 private universities according to the 2020 Best National University Rankings in the US News and World Reports were asked 30 questions concerning their overall job tasks and perspectives on RDM. Five public and five private data services librarians were interviewed. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. The transcriptions were analyzed in NVivo using a grounded theory application of open, axial, and selective coding to generate categories and broad themes based on the responses using synonymous meanings. Results: The results presented here provide the typical job tasks of data services librarians that include locating secondary data, reviewing data management plans (DMPs), conducting outreach, collaborating, and offering RDM training. Fewer data services librarians assisted with data curation or manage an institutional repository. Discussion: The results indicate that there may be different types of data services librarians depending on the mix of responsibilities. Academic librarianship will benefit from further delineation of job titles using tasks while planning, advertising, hiring, and evaluating workers in this emerging area. There remain many other explorations needed to understand the challenges and opportunities for data services librarians related to RDM. Conclusions: This article concludes with a proposed matrix of job tasks that indicates different types of data services librarians to inform further study. Future job descriptions, training, and education will all benefit from differentiating between the many associated research data services roles and with increased focus on research data greater specializations will emerge.

To protect and to serve: developing a road map for research data management services

Research Data Management (RDM) has become a major issue for universities over the last decade. This case study outlines the review of RDM services carried out at the University of Oxford in partnership with external consultants between November 2019 and November 2020. It aims to describe and discuss the processes in undertaking a university-wide review of services supporting RDM and developing a future road map for them, with a strong emphasis on the design processes, methodological approaches and infographics used. The future road map developed is a live document, which the consulting team handed over to the University at the end of the consultation process. It provides a suggested RDM action plan for the University that will continue to evolve and be iterated in the light of additional internal costings, available resources and reprioritization in the budget cycle for each academic year. It is hoped that the contents of this case study will be useful to other research-intensive universities with an interest in developing and planning RDM services to support their researchers.

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.

Complexity of Web-based Application for Research and Community Service in Academic

Research data and community service in academic environment is a very important asset that must be managed properly. They have to be applied synergically in order to obtain as quality standards of higher education. A centralized web-based application designed for research data management and community service have been applied in terms of supporting the managerial of activities. To make the application suitable for users, it is necessary to estimate the size of the software built. This study aimed at measuring the consistency of the apps based on feature point analysis method which is owned by research and community service in Indonesia. Fourteen Modification Complexity Adjustment Factor (MCAF) were used for calculating a program scale with adequate precision. The main cost is determining the quality of application sequentially, which includes measuring the weighted value of feature point components, namely, Crude Function Points (CFPs), calculating the Relative Complexity Adjustment Factor (RCAF), and estimating the Function Point (FP) by using the formula itself. The results depict that the size of application was estimated about 18381 lines using FPA methods and achieved successful estimation with 2.2 percent of deviation.

Discernment of faculty members and researchers towards leveraging research data management services: A study

Advanced stage of Research Repository system in library profession is Research Data Management (RDM) where activities like archiving, retrieving, recycling and conserving research data for future use are taking place. It is not new to the developed countries, many of the academic institutions, research-oriented special institutions are utilising the RDM services. Countries like India identified the need of adopting new tools for its ongoing research explorations in the fields of science, technology and social sciences perhaps the concept of RDM system came into existence. More significance in this manuscript is given to find out how effectively the researchers and faculty are reaching to fulfil their research needs in terms of preservation and sharing of data through RDM. It also looks at various ways how library professionals could extend their support to faculty and researchers within the organisation.

Eliciting Researchers’ Behaviour as the Foundation of Research Data Management Service Development

Eliciting Researchers’ Behaviour as the Foundation of Research Data Management Service Development