Data Curation for Re-Use (Why Open is Not Enough)

Abstract

This presentation was given at the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) 2017 conference on March 24, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland,

Many research libraries are now planning or offering data services, including data sharing through institutional repositories. A 2011-12 survey of ACRL member library directors, for instance, found that although just 20 percent offered data management plan consulting at that time, 43 percent planned to offer it within two years. These new data services are often in response to recent federal requirements for data management planning, as well as increased institutional recognition of the value of tracking research.

More data sharing, especially through long-lived libraries, is a win-win for the entire research community. More research findings can be replicated, more secondary research can be conducted, and more money can be saved. Still, with more data shared, will others be able to interpret and re-use the data?

Imagine you are a scientist and you find data from what seems like an interesting study but you have little documentation or context. Which files should be used? What should you do about values in the data that do not make sense? How will you open the data files with current statistical software? What analyses have already been conducted and published using these data?

Increasing data sharing is a start, but it is not enough. Well-described, complete, and self-explanatory data collections are the ultimate goal -- beyond simply storing files in a repository. This session explored the unique opportunities and challenges of open research data for re-use, especially by discussing how librarians can ensure data are both shared and re-usable. Specific topics included: non-technical explanation of research methods metadata, strategies to identify selected data files for curation, how to deal with sensitive and confidential data, repository features to enhance data re-use, and preservation strategies. The session concluded with an audience-inspired discussion of strategies that institutional repositories, independent digital repositories, and domain repositories can use to work together to share data and make them ready for for re-use.