Lightning Talk by Rob Sippel - Integration of Library into Research Data Management at Florida Institute of Technology

Transcript

1. Integration of Library into Research Data Management at Florida Institute of Technology Rob Sippel Government Information/Data Librarian Florida Institute of Technology
2. According to the Carnegie Foundation… Florida Tech is: • a Doctoral Research Intensive university  Faculty research, as well as student research at the undergraduate , graduate & doctoral levels. • STEM dominant  Range of scientific and engineering disciplines.  Strong historic ties to NASA (Kennedy Space Center).
3. What’s the result? • Lots and lots of data! • How is all of this data managed?  Traditionally, lots of variability.  But, in last few years…requirements for data management plans. National Science Foundation NIH
4. How are we (the Library) helping? • Advisory/editing services for faculty members preparing data management plans.  Data management LibGuide • Trials of data management services/tools  DataVerse  DMPTool • One-on-one, in-person interviews with faculty members  Ascertain data management needs of faculty across different departments.  Seek out ways for the library to expand its data management services.
5. What do we ask the faculty? • What types of data are you using for your research and in what format is your data? • Do you have (or are you planning to have) a data management plan to ensure that your research data is preserved and made available to future researchers? – If so, was the development and implementation of the data management plan a condition for your grant funding? – How specific are the requirements of the funding organization (i.e. what degree of leeway do you have in the development/selection of a data management plan)? • Is/are there (a) particular platform(s)/system that you are using for data management (or are interested in using? – If so, what are the reasons for your selection of (or interest in) this particular platform/system? – What would you say are the strengths and weaknesses of the platform/system in question? • What is the time frame over which you envision your data being preserved? – Does you data management plan include measures for migrating data to new media as older technologies become obsolete? – Does your data include descriptive information (i.e. variable descriptions, metadata, data history, collection notes, etc.) to facilitate its future use by others? • Are there elements of your data that are proprietary and should therefore not be accessible to outside researchers? • Would you be interested in the development of campus-wide standards/practices to ensure the effective long-term preservation and management of research data?
6. What does the faculty ask us? • Why is the Library undertaking this? • Exactly what services/capabilities are you planning to provide?
7. What have we learned? We are still in the process of conducting interviews and compiling our findings. However, some preliminary findings include: • Requirements for “formal” data management systems are still in flux.  Some federal agencies (e.g. NSF) require data management plans.  Other agencies do not yet require data management plans, or require that data be tightly controlled (e.g. DoD).  Work performed within consortiums or for private companies may already have data management systems in place. • The establishment of university guidelines, procedures and systems for data management is recognized as being potentially beneficial for acquiring future research funding.
8. What have we learned? (cont.) • Even when not required as a condition for funding, there is interest in developing more robust data management systems, both for supporting ongoing projects and preserving data from completed projects. • Desirable qualities cited for data management systems include:  Sufficient flexibility to  Accommodate widely varying types of data.  Adapt to technological changes in data storage media and formats  Compatibility with requirements of various funding agencies  Provide ease of use for such functions as conducting back-ups.  Accessible from offsite.  Allow encryption.  Be secure from viruses/worms.  Allow securing of data until researchers have had the opportunity to publish results.