1. The document summarizes a pilot project between Cambridge University Library and the University of Glasgow aimed at improving research data management through better advice, training, and support for researchers. 2. Interviews with researchers found issues with file organization, storage, preservation, data sharing, and a lack of useful guidance and training. 3. The project recommends producing simple data management guidance, practical training resources with discipline-specific examples, connecting researchers to support staff, and working towards a data management infrastructure.

1. Making Sense: Talking Data Management with Researchers Catharine Ward, Cambridge University Library Wednesday, 8 th December, 2010 On behalf of: Lesley Freiman, Cambridge University Library Sarah Jones, Laura Molloy and Kellie Snow, University of Glasgow A pilot project for supporting research data management

2. What is Incremental? Collaborative project between Cambridge University Library and HATII, University of Glasgow. Aim: To improve research data management within our own institutions by focusing on better advice, training and support – the people aspects .

3. Scoping study: method Building on HATII digital preservation study Semi-structured interviews Similar departments to allow comparison Glasgow (2009): Archaeology Chemistry Engineering English Public Health Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Cambridge (2010) Archaeology Chemistry Engineering English Public Health Scott Polar Research Institute

4. Scoping study: findings Creating and managing files File naming and structuring, lack of selection, increasing volumes. Storage and back-up Variety of media, who backs up? Preservation and re-use Obsolescence, best formats, available support Data sharing Personal investment, practicalities, obstacles. Existing guidance and training Wrong time / format, can’t find, hard to use, jargon!, want person to call…

5. Scoping guidance & training requirements Russell Group website survey http://incrementalproject.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/the-crossing-point/ Researcher observations http://incrementalproject.wordpress.com/2010/11/05/initial-test-user-thoughts-and-my-cautious-optimism/

6. Language matters Using the phrase ‘Looking after your data’ rather than ‘preserving your data’ Suspicious of ‘policies’ which imply a mandate. More receptive to ‘guidance’ or advice’ Must translate data management from specialist to non specialist

7. Four recommendations http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/ preservation/incremental/ documents/Incremental_Scoping_ Report_170910.pdf

8. 1. Produce simple guidance on creating, storing and managing data

10. University resources & guidance Local & central support contacts

12. 2. Offer practical training resources with discipline‐specific examples ‘ Curation for researchers’ course principles of data management case studies and breakouts to put in context collaborate with university services to profile support are producing online materials from this

13. Digital Curation for Researchers workshop Case study of English Language projects Key considerations Local support

14. Thematic seminars Lunchtime seminars (2hr) in Spring at Cambridge on: Ethics/confidential data - 19 th January 2011 – Dr Louise Corti (UK Data Archive) IPR - 2 nd February 2011 – Andrew Charlesworth (JISC/University of Bristol) FOI - 16 th February 2011 – Mike Baillie (Queens University, Belfast) Managing diverse data formats - 2 nd March 2011 – Paul Russell (English, Cambridge University), Stephen Gray (JISC/Bristol University), Fannar Haddad (independent)

15. Workshops in February 2011 at Glasgow on data management for researchers in : Performance / live art Archaeology Format: Morning session on best practice case studies & panel Afternoon session on support at Glasgow Disciplinary workshops

16. Online training resources Course and workshop outputs e.g. video case studies, audio-synced slides, screencasts Modular slides/resources that can be dropped into other courses More visual formats e.g. flow diagrams, factsheets

17. 3. Connect researchers with support staff for tailored advice and partnering • Raise awareness of existing support staff and services through data management web pages and training • Build links with research office to point researchers to relevant support when apply for grants

18. 4. Work towards a DM infrastructure

19. Conclusions There is a need for support with day to day issues of creating and managing data. Data management is mostly a ‘people’ problem. Providing brief and accessible guidance, training and support to researchers will be effective in the long term.

20. Thanks for listening  Any questions? Email: Catharine Ward - [email_address] Project website: http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/preservation/incremental/ Cambridge Dataman web pages: http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/dataman/ Project blog: http:// incrementalproject.wordpress.com / Twitter: JISCincremental