Designing Data Resources:
Tools for the provision of interactive research data management workshops
IDCC13 Workshop, Amsterdam
Designing Data Management Training at the University of Bath
Catherine PinkData Scientist, Research360
Jez CopeTechnical Data Coordinator, Research360
University of BathA leading UK research university
>15,000 students & 2,500 staff.
Applied science and engineering research focus
‘Small Science’ in collaboration with industry
Research36018-month Jisc-funded project
Developing human and technical infrastructure for research data management
Focused on Faculties of Science and Engineering
Piloting resources in the CSCT Doctoral Training Centre
The next 45 minutes
Structured around some of our training workshops
Content modified for IDCC13
Interactive survey
• Format modified for IDCC
Presentation
• How we’ve developed our workshops and what they contain
Exercise
• Data management planning
Before we start: Clicker exercise
What we did
• Multiple choice questions asked at start and end of each session
Why it worked• Simple activity with clear instructions (hard to get wrong!?)
• “Safe” for students – they can compare their knowledge/opinions to the group without being singled out
• Students engaged with the material from the start
• Catalyses learning by encouraging reflection
Before we start: Clicker exercise
How we did it• TurningPoint Audience Response
System (ARS)
• Simple voting system for classroom use
• Provided by the University’s e-learning team
• Today we will use PollEverywhere.com instead
How to vote
Laptop, tablet or smartphone:
• Go to pollev.com/r360• Use the buttons there
Mobile phone:
• Send text message to +447624806527• Codes for each option will appear on the slides
• Normal network charges apply (UK mobile number)
What training did Bath already provide? Single annual data management presentation for postgraduate
students
Responsibility for delivery passed between senior academics
Content based on external resources (M.I.T)
Content not customised to the University or recently updated
• Focus on why, not how, to manage data
2012: Highlighted main risks of poor data management
2011: Poor understanding of data management despite some training
What did we start to do• Re-designed workshop from scratch, including original content and
external training resources e.g. DataTrain, MANTRA
• Focused on generic data management with achievable solutions we that can already provide
• Aimed at researchers - postgraduate students & academics
• Delivered by data management experts from Research360 project
• Tested new content on our pilot group of research students
• Observers to capture all comments/questions to help with development
• Needs structured exercises to develop skills as well as discussionHands-on workshop
• Early career researchers are used to lectures and favour this format for gathering new information
• Researchers prefer content (how, what, where) to ‘soft’ skills learning
Lecture-style workshop
• Scientists like talking about data management, but won’t consider it a worthwhile use of their time
Interactive workshop
Style & Format – several approaches tried
Structure of content based on data lifecycle
Definitions
Data management plans
Create• Data Types• Responsibilities
Active Use• Storage &
Security• Back up options• Organising data• File names &
versioning
Documentation• Contextual data• Metadata
Publication & Deposit
• Data sharing requirements
• Restrictions on data sharing
• How to share data
Preservation & Re-use
• Archive• File formats for
long term preservation
• Funders requirements• University codes / policy / procedures• Requirements to share data• Requirements to write Data Management Plans
Raise awareness of their responsibilities
• Storage and security of data• Organisation and file management• Keeping good records so data can be re-used
Try to prevent worst data management mistakes
2 hours – How much can you cover?• Limited time to cover a large and complex subject
• Provide links to further information
Key Content
Demonstrate relevance & support with practical advice
Will you be able to write your thesis/final report in 3 years time?
Use better file names and capture contextual information
What would happen if your computer failed?
Request your 1TB of centrally managed research data storage
Your digital data is safe, but what about your lab / research notebook?
Daily scans of your notebook for free to your personal storage area
Can you or anyone else understand your older research data?
Capture methods and abbreviations in metadata or ‘readme’ files
Does your funder require you to make your data accessible?
Publish your data in a data repository or data journal
Share with your future self!
Get participants to plan what they will do after the training
“Write a data management plan”
“Request central storage space” “Back up my data”
At the end of the workshop
“Helped to focus my data
management plan”
“How to store data securely”
“Where to get help & find more
information”
“Data
organisation”
“Reminded me how
easily I could lose my data”
What was useful?
“Cloud storage
solutions e.g.
Dropbox
“Not enough group
discussion”
“To much group discussion”
“Preparing a data
management plan”
“Bias towards science”
What was missing?Participant feedback essential for continued training development
Exercise: Data Management Plans
What we did• Produced 4 different DMP templates and split students into
groups to try themWhy it worked
• Clear time period, clear objectives• Data management plans cover many of the issues raised by
data management, so lots of subjects can be covered by one exercise
Outcomes• Students produced their own Data Management Plans• Students were contributing to our project — felt some
ownership of the process
Data Management Plan (DMP) Exercise
Templates• Digital Curation Centre Checklist: bit.ly/idcc13-dcc
• Jez’s PGR Student Template: bit.ly/idcc13-dmppgr
• David Shotton’s Twenty Questions: bit.ly/idcc13-20q
What to do – compare the three templates
1. After training, will your researchers know where to find the information to fill in each template?
2. Are different templates suited to different types of researchers?
Future plansShort /Medium Term• Continue to develop training format in response to feedback• Extend training to include / encourage academic staff • Provide additional online support for self learning
Long Term aims• Train more professional support staff to deliver training (“train-the-trainer”)• Develop subject specific training• Broader embedded training plans included as part of business case for
sustainable data management infrastructure
Updated data management website
go.bath.ac.uk/research-data
Developing an online self-learning module (see our poster!)
Find out more….
Research360 Blogblogs.bath.ac.uk/research360
University of Bath Research Data Management Websitewww.bath.ac.uk/research/data
Training slidesopus.bath.ac.uk/32296
Contact [email protected]
Discussion
How have you developed & designed research data management training resources at your institution?
How have you identified the skills gaps of your researchers/professional services staff?
Issues associated with new training programmes vs. embedding training in existing programmes
What are the most appropriate formats for training?
How will you ensure your training is sustainable?
How do you engage with the academic and professional support communities?
Benefits of discipline specific vs. cross-discipline training.