The results of the study showed that for the group that responded to the survey, the degree to which they had adopted RDM practices was still very low. The researcher placed most of the groups that responded to the survey in the first stage of the innovation decision process, which is the information stage.
Introduction to the study
- Introduction
- Research Data Management
- RDM as a global phenomenon
- RDM in Africa
- RDM in academic institutions
- Background to the study
- Namibia
- The University of Namibia
- Research problem
- Objectives of the study
- Research questions
- The importance of this study
- Overview of the research methodology
- Definitions of terminologies
- Research report plan
- Chapter summary
Research Data Alliance (RDA) is an international organization focused on developing infrastructure and community activities for data sharing (Research Data Alliance, 2015:4). Investigate to what extent RDM has been applied as part of the research process at UNAM;
Theoretical framework and literature review
Introduction
Theoretical framework
- Diffusion of Innovation Theory
- Innovation-decision process
- Studies that have applied Rogers DOI theory
- DOI theory application to this study
In recent years, DOI theory has been applied in several studies to measure the rate of adoption of a new idea. Therefore, the researcher considered the innovation decision process in the DOI theory as a framework to examine the extent of adoption of RDM practices.
Review of the literature
- Studies in Africa
- Studies done outside of Africa
The study found that the culture of RDM practices among researchers was the barrier to effective research data sharing practices. Michalek (2015) conducted a survey study at Mellon University in the US to assess the RDM practices of a specific faculty.
Current developments regarding RDM in academic institutions
- Development of RDM services
- Requirement compliance
- Sharing of research data
- RDM skills and knowledge acquisition
- Development of infrastructure
- Digitally facilitated research activities
- Writing of a DMP
One example is the involvement of different research institutions in open data efforts to share research data and be more transparent about their research activities (Corti & Fielding 2016:2). Additionally, researchers put their research data into open repositories like Figshare for the purpose of storing it for future use and sharing with other researchers (Dora & Kumar, 2015:485). Therefore, it is believed that e-infrastructure will be used as an opportunity for research and research data (Corti & Fielding 2016:3).
Nhendodzashe & Pasipamire (2017) indicate that most researchers at the University of Zimbabwe generate their research data in text and spread sheets using computers.
Drivers for adopting and practicing RDM in academic institutions
- Research funders’ directives and policies
- Conforming to global trends
- Academic researchers seeking to collaborate
- Proof of research results
- Emphasis on open access to research data
One important aspect of publishing results is that it enables other researchers to replicate and build on the author's published findings. A good practice of RDM is that it allows both the confirmation of the reliability and verification of results and, as mentioned earlier, allows innovative research that builds on existing information (Eynden & Brett, 2010:1). There are several notable Open Access (OA) initiatives around the world, such as OpenAIRE, and the African Open Access Platform that seek to build openness in African science (Trotter et al., 2014:85).
Several countries around the world and academic institutions have adopted a statement on OA, especially for research data derived from public funding, and have developed a set of principles and guidelines to facilitate open data (Leonelli, Bezuidenhout, & Rappert, 2018 ).
Benefits of adopting and practicing RDM
It is likely to become more of a priority as academic researchers see the need and benefits of adapting to the global trend of adopting and continuing RDM practices. The Association of Higher Education National and University Libraries (SCONUL) (2015:3) asserts that receiving and managing research data brings many benefits, not only to the researcher, but to the institution and the wider community. Importantly, the adoption of RDM practices will allow researchers and stakeholders to see the benefits associated with it.
Managing research data helps researchers meet obligations to funders and meet open access agendas (Buys & Shaw, 2015).
Factors that may influence the adoption of RDM practices in academic institutions
- Communication
- Education
- Infrastructure for data sharing
Buys & Shaw (2015) also believe that good RDM practices can help prevent and control the loss and deterioration of research data. Education through awareness is one of the prominent factors believed to influence the successful adoption of RDM practices in academic settings. According to Buys and Shaw, education provides researchers with a better understanding of the reasons for the demands that funders place on RDM practices.
Providing infrastructure, especially for data repositories, is a critically influential factor for the adoption of RDM practices in academic institutions (Buys & Shaw, 2015:15).
RDM responsibilities in academic institutions
As such, “librarians should be motivated to acquire additional skills through education and training to enable their effective participation in the digital dimension” (Kim, Warga & Moen, 2013:68). From that point of view, it is very likely that RDM responsibilities will lie with libraries, especially in the academic context.
Barriers to effective adoption of RDM practices in academic institutions
This is a particular concern for the majority of late adopters of innovative ideas as technologies evolve at a very rapid pace. It is noted that most researchers lack confidence in their ability to engage in good RDM practices and keep up with the pace of ICT. Obviously, some obstacles may be obvious from the start, while some are not.
Rogers (2003) believes that some obstacles are difficult to avoid with the emergence of a new idea, but it is important to create measures that will address the barriers early.
RDM as an innovation in academic institutions
This is a barrier to the success of RDM practices because researchers are the key players in making RDM a success. Therefore, as RDM emerges, there will apparently be barriers to good practice, and some of the barriers may be clear and some may not. Lewis (2010:7) argues that the management of research data is not a recent phenomenon: it is merely recent developments in technologies used to assist research activities that have motivated research stakeholders to manage research data.
RDM is now gradually becoming a globally accepted standard among researchers interested in managing their research data.
Chapter summary
Research design and methodology
- Introduction
- Research approach
- Research design
- Research method
- Data collection
- Sample
- Data collection
- Data analysis
- Ethical considerations
- Research limitations
- Reliability and validity
- Chapter summary
Since the researcher is looking for data on the adoption of RDM practices over a period of time, a cross-sectional research type was chosen for the research. Research methods refer to the methods used by the researcher in conducting research operations (Kothari & Garg, 2014). Sampling was not in the hands of the researcher and he was not informed of how this group was drawn.
In terms of confidentiality and anonymity, all information regarding participants remained the property of the researcher during the research project and the affiliated institution after the study was published.
Data analysis
Introduction
Survey response overview
Ten (12%) were disqualified from the survey because they answered that they do not conduct research. Some UNAM employees were on strike when the researcher sent out the survey. All respondents who participated in the survey answered the benchmark question (question 2) of the survey and indicated whether or not they carry out research projects.
Respondents who indicated that they were not conducting research were automatically disqualified from the survey.
Preparation and data checking
This question was important to this study for the purposes of collecting data only from those doing research. It is placed at the beginning to filter respondents and save time for those who are not doing research, as they do not have to complete the survey. This is not surprising because as a state-owned university, UNAM has the mandate to carry out research to influence the socio-economic development of the country.
Analysis and interpretation of collected data
- Section A: Demographic characteristics
- Section B. Knowledge and RDM activities within UNAM
A further analysis of Table 11 shows that most of the professionals who answered the survey had not tried to find out more about RDM. Half of the respondents (11) indicated that they discuss RDM sometimes, and 10 (45%) respondents indicated that they never discuss RDM in their department. It is clear from the answers to question 23 that the researchers would like UNAM to offer all the RDM services the researcher has listed.
Thus, in question 24 of the survey, respondents had to choose several answers from a list of challenges they face. This question asked respondents to elaborate if they chose not sure. According to the second part of the questionnaire, it can be seen that RDM practices at UNAM are carried out by the researchers who answered the survey.
Chapter summary
As seen in Table 14 and supported by the analysis of question 23, this has been echoed by many academic researchers who have responded to the survey. It is also clear that researchers who responded to the survey portrayed different behaviors towards RDM, of which unfavorable behaviors were noted. Furthermore, the analysis shows that RDM adoption is non-existent for a group of researchers who participated in the study.
In addition, many of the researchers who responded to the survey were faced with various challenges when working with the data.
Data interpretation, recommendations and conclusions
Introduction
Discussion of the findings
- The extent to which RDM has been adopted as part of the research process at UNAM
- Confirming DOI theory innovation-decision theory
- Identify challenges encountered by researchers attempting to practice RDM (Objective 2)
- Possible solutions to some of the identified challenges (Objective 3) and recommendations for
This group of researchers was found to be managing their own research data at an individual level, as indicated by their responses to the question of what data-related activities they are involved in (results in Table 8). This study found that researchers at UNAM who manage their research data face many challenges while trying to work with research data. Safe and secure storage of research data was noted as a major challenge for many respondents to the UNAM survey.
The reviewed literature also identified many challenges researchers face when managing their research data.
Future research studies
For communication, UNAM should use the internet as it is believed to be the best way to create awareness about RDM. If proper management of research data is to be achieved at UNAM, it must develop infrastructure to support RDM services. UNAM should consider developing courses around RDM to help researchers know how to manage their research data.
UNAM should encourage writing and adding DMP to every research proposal at UNAM.
Study limitations
Summary
The researcher discussed the findings, identified challenges and offered solutions to some of the identified challenges. Most of the survey participants were placed at the knowledge stage of the DOI innovation decision-making process, while fewer were placed at the persuasion stage, where they formed their behavior toward RDM, and some were placed at the decision stage, as the data revealed that are aware of the concept of RDM and engaged in activities that lead to the choice of adopting or rejecting an innovation, such as data management practices.
Conclusions
Developing an implementation plan for research data management (RDM) at the University of Ghana (RUG). The role of academic libraries in research data services from a South African perspective: South African journal of libraries and information sciences. Research data management services in southern Africa : a readiness survey of academic research libraries : African Journal of Library, Archives and.
Developments in research data management in academic libraries: understanding the maturity of research data services.
