The document outlines initiatives for research data management (RDM) at the University of Edinburgh, detailing pressures for change from funders, publishers, and the public. It describes the development of data library services, projects, and policies aimed at enhancing data accessibility, management, and storage requirements amidst growing compliance demands. Recommendations include creating standard procedures for data handling and establishing a data audit framework across universities.

1. Robin Rice & Jeff HaywoodUniversity of EdinburghIDCC, Chicago, 20101Research Data Management (RDM) Initiatives at the University of Edinburgh

2. Pressure for changeResearch funders seeking to add valuePublishers responding to demand Public wanting access to publicly funded dataUniversities reluctant to step up to challenge?2Wwarby on flickr

3. Overview & contextData Library services and projectsInformation Services initiativesResearch Data Storage working groupResearch Data Management Policy consultationNext steps3

4. Data Library Services and projectsData Library serviceEdinburgh DataShareJISC-funded projects DISC-UK DataShare (2007-2009)Data Audit Framework Implementation (2008)Research Data MANTRA (2010-2011)4

5. 5What is a data library? A data library refers to both the content and the services that foster use of collections of numeric, audio-visual, textual or geospatial data sets for secondary use in research. Focus on re-use of data

6. Data Library Service at UoEfinding…accessing …using …teaching …6iStock Photo, ChartsBin and mkandlez on flickr

7. Web guidanceMore recent focus on support for managing one’s dataOnline suite of web pages for IS website developed in 2009http://www.ed.ac.uk/is/data-management7

8. Data repository service for staff8

9. DISC-UK DataShare projectPiloted institutional data repositories at Edinburgh, Oxford & Southampton Uni’sThree different models on 3 open source repository platforms9

10. 10

11. 11

12. DAF projectsRecommendation to JISC: “JISC should develop a Data Audit Framework to enable all universities and colleges to carry out an audit of departmental data collections ...” Liz Lyon (2007). Dealing with Data: Roles, Rights, Responsibilities and Relationships

13. Findings from 5 DAF case studiesStorage provision often insufficientLong retention periods needed for high value dataAd-hoc practices; no formal data mgmt plans Lack of standardised procedures in creating and storing dataMinimal metadata; much effort expended in finding extant data on servers13European Parliament on flickr

14. Research Data MANTRA (MANagementTRAining)Open online learning materials in RDM for postgrads and early career researchersGrounded in three disciplines, working with graduate schoolsVideo stories from senior researchers to augment web-based ‘chapters’Data handling exercises in four software analysis packages. 14.ash on flickr

15. Information Services initiativesThe RDS group identified types of data storage requirements and features that an effective University-wide storage service should offer. The RDM group drafted a university policy for managing research data, taking account of increasing funding agency demands for compliance, the open access agenda, and the shared responsibilities of the university and principal investigators. The Vice Principal for KM established two strategic working groups:WG on RDS (storage)WG on RDM (mgmt)15Photo courtesy Orange County Archives

16. Finding the storage ‘sweet spot’Globally accessible cross-platform file storeAuthentication, authorisation & accessBackup and synchingArchivingFederated data storage solutionCentralisation & trustNetwork of support16Quasimondo on flickr

17. Events influencing the RDM groupRecent adoption of the Code of Practice for Research (UK Research Integrity Office, 2009) by the university’s research office, obligating the institution to provide support for retention and access to data underlying published research.‘Climategate’ email review at East Anglia University highlighting the reputational risk and legal accountability associated with staff not being forthcoming in response to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests for data from the public. 17

18. Draft University data policy (1 of 2)Commitment to research excellence includes RDM throughout lifecycleThe University should provide training, support and advice, as well as mechanisms and services for storage, backup, registration, deposit and retentionNew research proposals should explicitly address data capture, management, integrity, confidentiality, retention, sharing and publicationResponsibility for plan and sound data mgmt is with PIs18Litherland on flickr

19. Draft University data policy (2 of 2)Research data management plans must ensure that research data is available for access and re-use where appropriate and under appropriate safeguards.The legitimate interests of the subjects of research data must be protected.Research data of future historical interest, and all research data that represent records of the University, including data that substantiate research findings, should be offered and assessed for deposit and retention in an appropriate national or international data service or domain repository, or a University repository.19Steve Rhode on flickr

20. End of story ... To be continuedThis month, the leaders of the two working groups are meeting with the Vice Principal to review outcome of consultation and determine next steps.Thank you!Robin.Rice@ed.ac.uk & Jeff.Haywood@ed.ac.uk20