Research Study – Data Management Practices & Needs of Researchers at University of Manitoba: Home

Purpose:

The purpose of this research study is to better understand data management practices and needs of researchers at the University of Manitoba (faculty, graduate students, research associates, librarians). As Canada's Tri-Agencies propose to mandate a data management plan (DMP) in the grant application process, findings from this study will inform the University of Manitoba Libraries in improving research support services.

Responses from researchers will go a long way to ensure that this study will be effective in assessing the very important data management needs of researchers throughout our organization. We will be surveying researchers from a wide range of disciplines, from Health/Natural Sciences to Social Sciences/Humanities, to explore issues around managing quantitative/qualitative data, but also other types of data like textual, video, and audio materials. We will also explore how factors such as disciplines, research methodologies, and data policies of funding agencies and journals affect data management.

Methodology:

This study has two phases: (1) an online survey and (2) interviews.

Phase 1: Online survey: participants across the university (July-September 2015)

We will ask researchers affiliated with the university to complete an online survey about the type, quantity, and state of data produced and managed. Participants are asked to share their contact information if they are willing to participate in follow-up interviews. The survey takes 10-15 minutes.

Phase 2: Interviews:10-20 participants

We will conduct interviews with researchers recruited from across disciplines, to further explore data management practices and needs by capturing data workflows of their recent research projects. Each interview takes approximately 60 minutes. We will conduct our interview at researchers' convenience in a location agreeable to them.

Investigators:

If you need further information about this research study, please contact us below:

Jordan Bass
Medical Archivist, University of Manitoba
Email: jordan.bass@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-977-5600

The Tri-Agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) announced the Statement of Principles on Digital Data Management "to promote excellence in digital data management practices and data stewardship in Agency-funded research". According to the Statement,  responsibilities of researchers include "incorporating data management best practices into their research, and developing data management plans to guide the responsible collection, formatting, preservation and sharing of their data throughout the entire lifecycle of a research project and beyond."

Following the direction of funding agencies in other countries, Canada's Tri-Agencies (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC) are proposing to mandate a data management plan in the grant application process. A data management plan is a "formal document that outlines how a researcher or research project will handle their data both during their research and after the project is completed". The Tri-Agencies are cooperating with research communities and institutions to develop policies and capabilities for data management and stewardship.

See Capitalizing on Big Data: Toward a Policy Framework for Advancing Digital Scholarship in Canada