ETD 2008: Spreading the Light 4-7 June, RGU, Aberdeen 1 Management of Research Data in ETD Systems Felix N Ubogu Yasien Sayed University of the Witwatersrand,

ETD 2008: Spreading the Light 4-7 June, RGU, Aberdeen

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Management of Research Data in ETD Systems

Felix N Ubogu

Yasien Sayed

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

ETD 2008: Spreading the Light 4-7 June, RGU, Aberdeen

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University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

•Established 1922 •5 faculties on three campuses•Academic teaching hospital•Over 25,000 students•Sterkfontein site which has world-famous limestone caves, rich in archaeological material, is a World Heritage Site•Wits aims to be in the top 100 by 2022 2

ETD 2008: Spreading the Light 4-7 June, RGU, Aberdeen

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Wits University Library (1)

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• Two central libraries and 12 faculty/branch libraries.

• UL (reports to DVC Research)

• 1,138, 000 book volumes

• 45,000 print & e-journal titles and a host of electronic resources.

• ETD project coordinated by the University Library / University Central Records Office/Archives

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Wits University Library (2)

• Management of research data identified as an area needing attention as part of library support of university research activitiesraw data may be stored and archived for

future reference and safe keepingutilised for transfer of knowledge and skills by

using current post graduate students to train the less experienced students using the archived/stored data without duplicating costly experiments (Sayed, 2008)

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The Data Landscape (1) • ICTs have created heightened interest in data and

information production, management, and dissemination as well as access to and reuse of research data

• “Data” : digital observations, scientific monitoring, data from sensors, metadata, model output and scenarios, qualitative or observed behavioural data, and statistical data. Data are generally viewed as input to the research process

• “Information” : conclusions obtained from analysis of data and the results of research (ICSU, 2004 p. 14)

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The Data Landscape (2)• Thesis and dissertation are considered as

information derived from analysis of data and results of research

• Some benefits to sharing research data – reinforcement of open scientific inquiry; – verification, refutation, or refinement of original results; – promotion of new research through existing data;– encouraging more appropriate use of empirical data in

policy formulation and evaluation (Fienberg, Martin and Straf, 1985)

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The Data Landscape (3)

• International and national actions to put in place policies to guide the deposit and access to data and any publications arising from research projects

• The ICSU Report made 58 recommendations on free (or for the cost of reproduction) access to research

data; making data for articles available in electronic repositories; use of common data management standards; need for standards and curricula for professional training for

scientific data managers; data and information management should become a routine

component in all research budgets; training in data management as part of their graduate and

postgraduate education of scientists

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The Data Landscape (4)

• In Australia, it has been recommended that data management expertise becomes a core skill for researchers and students across all disciplines (PMSEIC, 2006)

• ARCHER project on data acquisition and management tools

• LIS Schools in the US now reshaping their curricula to address the emerging need for digital data managers

• Cornell University project: Planning Information Infrastructure Through a New Library-Research Partnership

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Results of Survey

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Observations and Recommendations

• Infrastructure for data repository: Fedora 2.2.1 repository with VTLS software for web services (VITAL repository search and management services and VALET web submission tool) sitting on top

• cross-disciplinary team to deal with the implementation of data management programme is highly desirable

• Team will address institutional and researcher needs, as well as formulate a set of principles to guide cost modelling and sustainable funding options

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Conclusion

• Management of the raw data on which a thesis/dissertation is based should be viewed in the broader context of the management of institutional research data

• Institutions need to establish high-level interest in the management of research data through the establishment of appropriate structures/bodies and infrastructure

• Such bodies should have the mandate to establish data practices at institutional level, set policy frameworks and determine processes through which policies are implemented

• ICSU Report as well as the report of the Research Information Network provide good guidelines for implementation of research data management and the various roles of stakeholders

• Libraries playing critical roles in the data management arena

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Thank you

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References

• Fienberg, S. E, Martin, M.E., and Miron L. Straf, Editors. Sharing Research Data, Committee on National Statistics, National Research Council, 1985. Available at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/2033.html

• ICSU (International Council for Science). 2004. Scientific Data and Information: Report of the CSPR Assessment Panel. Available at: http://www.icsu.org/Gestion/img/ICSU_DOC_DOWNLOAD/551_DD_FILE_PAA_Data_and_Information.pdf (accessed 20 April 2008).

• Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, Working Group on Data for Science. From Data to Wisdom: Pathways to Successful Data Management for Australian Science, December 2006. Available at: http://www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/D15793B2-FEB9-41EE-B7E8-C6DB2E84E8C9/15103/From_Data_to_Wisdom_Pathways_data_man_forAust_scie.pdf

• Sayed, Yasien (2008). Personal communication.