Delivering research data management services: fundamentals of good practice

The research landscape is changing, with key global research funders now requiring institutions to demonstrate how they will preserve and share research data. However, the practice of structured research data management is very new, and the construction of services remains experimental and in need of models and standards of approach. This groundbreaking guide will lead researchers, institutions and policy makers through the processes needed to set up and run effective institutional research data management services. This book will provide a step-by-step explanation of the components for an institutional service - effectively a 'how to guide'. Case studies from the newly emerging service infrastructures in the UK, USA and Australia will draw out the lessons learnt from working (or near to delivery) exemplars. Different approaches are highlighted and compared, for example, a case study of a researcher-focused strategy from Australia contrasted with a national, top-down approach. A chapter on the redeveloped UK Data Service showcases a national research data management service, which may be judged an alternative to institutional services. Key topics include: why develop research data management services? What different approaches are open to institutions?; who should be involved in the process?; preparing for and developing research data management services, from scoping to sustainability; key components and functions of a research data management service; case studies from Johns Hopkins University, University of Southampton, Monash University, UK Data Service, and JISC's Managing Reserch Data programme; directory of useful tools and resources. This book will be an invaluable guide to those entering a new and untried enterprise. It will be particularly relevant to heads of libraries, information technology managers, research support office staff and research directors planning for these types of services. It will also be of interest to researchers, funders and policy makers as a reference tool for understanding how shifts in policy will have a range of ramifications within institutions. Library and information science students will find it an informative window on an emerging area of practice.