Embed data management into research lifecycle

From GRDI2020

This is a GRDI recommendation; return to Main Page with all the challenges or to recommendations

Context and Challenges

The basic goal is to elevate position of data management to same level as the research methodology (statistical or qualitative analysis methods) is today. The basic data management skills should be seen as part of the requirements for working in research domain, and the researchers, research organisations and funding agencies should all keep the data quality, curation and preservation issues in mind in their activities.

Recommendation

Use the foundation provided by revised grant regime to actively make data management an inherent part of the research activities by e.g.:

• Include data management courses in the university curricula (related to training and education)
• Showcase examples of innovative reuse of (high quality) data
• Study the economic impact of reuse of research and public sector data and promote results to funding agencies and general public
• Include data management aspects in the M.Sc. courses in Science Communication (related to training and education)

Stakeholders and Impact

As linking data management and grant process, this will further increase awareness of the importance of data, changing from the current attitude that sometimes states that "money spent on data management would be better spent on the real research".

The group of stakeholders will be much larger, ranging from (future) researchers to journalist and general public.