Research data management in university libraries: The need for data literacy and technological revamp

Abstract

The implementation and delivery of research data management services (RDMS) in university libraries are at different levels of realization, most of which are far from satisfactory. There is therefore need for discussions around issues that will stimulate the success of RDM programmes in university libraries. Consequently, this paper discusses data literacy and technological infrastructure as prerequisites for the successful implementation of RDMS in university libraries. The paper discusses data literacy in the context of RDM implementation. It also reveals the various competency areas to focus on in developing a data literate librarian. Moreover, the study discusses the relationship between technological infrastructure and RDM in university libraries, hereby justifying the need for technological revamp. Some specific technologies are mentioned in the course of the discussion. The study concludes that data literacy and adequate technological infrastructure for RDM are required for university libraries to realize their full potential in the management of research data.

Keywords

Data literacy data literacy skills research data management technological infrastructure university libraries

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Adika

Kwanya

(2020) Research data management literacy amongst lecturers at Strathmore University, Kenya. Library Management 41(6–7): 447–466.

Andrikopoulou

Rowley

Walton

(2022) Research data management (RDM) and the evolving identity of academic libraries and librarians: A literature review. New Review of Academic Librarianship 28(4): 349–365.

Anene

Ebifagha

(2021) Digital literacy training needs for enhancing job performance of library staff in federal universities in Nigeria. NDJLIS – Niger Delta Journal of Library and Information Science 2(1): 90–103.

Ashiq

Saleem

QUA

Asim

(2021) The perception of library and information science (LIS) professionals about research data management services in university libraries of Pakistan. Libri 71(3): 239–249.

Avuglah

Underwood

(2019) Research data management (RDM) capabilities at the University of Ghana, Legon. Library Philosophy and Practice – Electronic Journal Article 2258. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2258

Baily

(2023) Academic libraries and research data management bibliography. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371755540_Academic_Libraries_and_Research_Data_Management_Bibliography (accessed 8 December 2023).

Burress

Mann

Neville

(2020) Exploring data literacy via a librarian–faculty learning community: A case study. The Journal of Academic Librarianship 46(1): Article 102076.

Carmi

Yates

Lockley

, et al. (2020) Data citizenship: Rethinking data literacy in the age of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation. Internet Policy Review 9(2): 1–22.

Carvalho e Rodrigues

Mandrekar

(2021) Role of the libraries in providing information and changing information-seeking behaviour of students and faculties during the pandemic: A study. Library Philosophy and Practice – Electronic Journal Article 6350. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/6350

10.

Central Michigan University (CMU) Libraries (2023) Data literacy. Available at: https://literacy.ala.org/data-literacy/ (accessed 15 November 2023).

11.

Chawinga

Zinn

(2020) Research data management at an African medical university: Implications for academic librarianship. Journal of Academic Librarianship 46(4): Article 102161.

12.

De Montfort University Library (2023) RDM explained. Available at: https://library.dmu.ac.uk/rdmguide (accessed 15 November, 2023).

13.

Dianat

Adeli

Jafarabadi

, et al. (2019) User-centred web design, usability and user satisfaction: The case of online banking websites in Iran. Applied Ergonomics 81: 102892. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102892.

14.

Echedom

Okuonghae

(2021) Transforming academic library operations in Africa with artificial intelligence: Opportunities and challenges: A review paper. New Review of Academic Librarianship 27(2): 243–255.

15.

Eiriemiokhale

Amzat

(2022) Leveraging high-end technologies for quality library services in Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice – Electronic Journal Article 7534. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=14581&context=libphilprac

16.

Global Voice Group (2020) Data literacy, the forgotten skill of developing countries. Available at: https://www.globalvoicegroup.com/data-literacy-in-developing-countries/ (accessed 15 November, 2023).

17.

Hombali

(2022) The role of librarians in research data management: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews 9(1): 359–364.

18.

Howie

Kara

(2020) Research support in New Zealand University libraries. New Review of Academic Librarianship. Epub ahead of print 3 January 2020. https://doi.org/10.1080/13614533.2019.1700535.

19.

Igbinovia

Ishola

(2023) Cyber security in university libraries and implication for library and information science education in Nigeria. Digital Library Perspectives 39(3): 248–266.

20.

International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers (STM) (2021) STM global brief 2021 - economics & market size - an STM report supplement. Available at: https://www.stm-assoc.org/2022_08_24_STM_White_Report_a4_v15.pdf (accessed 14 November 2023).

21.

Koltay

(2015) Data literacy: In search of a name and identity. Journal of Documentation 71: 401–415.

22.

Koltay

(2017) Data literacy for researchers and data librarians. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 49: 3–14.

23.

Koltay

(2019) Research data management and data literacy as we see them today. Knižničná a Informačná Veda [Library and Information Science] XXVIII. Available at: https://fphil.uniba.sk/fileadmin/fif/katedry_pracoviska/kkiv/Publikacie/KaIV/KIV28_7.pdf (accessed 15 November 2023).

24.

Kuchma I (2021) EIFL Open Access Programme Manager. Available at: https://www.eifl.net/experts/Iryna_K (accessed 15 November 2023).

25.

Machimbidza

Mutula

Ndiweni

(2022) Exploring the feasibility of research data management services in Zimbabwean academic libraries: The case of Zimbabwe School of Mines. Library Philosophy and Practice – Electronic Journal Article 6760. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/6760/

26.

Masinde

Chen

Wambiri

, et al. (2021) Research librarians’ experiences of research data management activities at an academic library in a developing country. Data and Information Management 5(4): 412–424.

27.

Mavodza

(2022) Research data management: A review of UAE academic library experience. Open Information Science 6(1): 16–27.

28.

Mcelhone

Hannell

James

(2022) Introduction to data and data literacy. Available at: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/drivingchangeinthehealthsectoranintegratedapproach/chapter/section-1-4/ (accessed 15 November 2023).

29.

Moyo

Bangani

(2023) Data literacy training needs of researchers at South African universities. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication. Epub ahead of print 13 June 2023. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-02-2023-0041.

30.

Ntja B (2022) Enhancing the role of the libraries in South African Higher Education Institutions through Research Data Management: A case study of Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Faculty of Humanities, Library and Information Studies Centre (LISC), Cape Town, South Africa. Available at: https://open.uct.ac.za/items/e2269fd2-febc-4cd5-9ddb-d066a973fb39 (accessed 8 December 2023).

31.

Nwabugwu

Godwin

(2020) Research data management (RDM) services in libraries: Lessons for academic libraries in Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice – Electronic Journal Article 4238. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4238/

32.

Nwagwu

(2024) Mapping the field of global research on data literacy: Key and emerging issues and the library connection. IFLA Journal. Epub ahead of print 20 June 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352241257669.

33.

Orr

(2023) UWinnipeg Research Data Management Strategy (UWRDMS) 2023–2026. For public release, March 2023. Available at: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/research/docs/uwinnipeg_rdm_strategy_final.pdf (accessed 4 December 2023).

34.

Palsdottir

(2021) Data literacy and management of research data – a prerequisite for the sharing of research data. Aslib Journal of Information Management 73(2): 322–341.

35.

Payal

Manorama

(2019) A selective review of literature on research data management in academic libraries. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology 39(6): 338–345.

36.

Petryschuk

(2023) What is network optimization? 8 reliable techniques. Available at: https://www.auvik.com/franklyit/blog/network-optimization/ (accessed 14 November 2023).

37.

Science Business (2023) Elsevier releases latest industry study revealing surprising growth trends from the Global South among G20 nations. 13 July, https://sciencebusiness.net/network-updates/elsevier-releases-latest-industry-study-revealingsurprising-growth-trends-global

38.

Subaveerapandiyan

(2023) Research data management practices and challenges in academic libraries: A comprehensive review. Library Philosophy and Practice – Electronic Journal Article 7866. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.16844.59522.

39.

Tammaro

Matusiak

Sposito

, et al. (2019) Data curator’s roles and responsibilities: An international perspective. Libri 69(2): 89–104.

40.

Tang

(2019) Providing research data management (RDM) services in libraries: Preparedness, roles, challenges and training for RDM practice. Data and Information Management 3(2): 84–101.

41.

Taş

(2023) Data literacy education through university–industry collaboration. Information and Learning Sciences. Epub ahead of print 3 November 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-06-2023-0077.

42.

Taufiq

Shafiq

Ashiq

(2020) User satisfaction with resources and services of public libraries of Lahore, Pakistan. Library Philosophy and Practice – Electronic Journal Article 4347. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4347

43.

Taylor

(2023) Volume of data/information created, captured, copied, and consumed worldwide from 2010 to 2020, with forecasts from 2021 to 2025. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/871513/worldwide-data-created/ (accessed 8 December 2023).

44.

(2022) Research data management practice in academic libraries. Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communication 10(1): Article eP13700.