IN DEPTH
State of Open Data report: Awareness, assistance and collaboration in changing times
The latest report in the State of Open Data series shows that researchers still feel unsupported in their efforts to share research data openly. Rob Green looks at the findings from the report and its implications for libraries.
THE State of Open Data is an annual survey, commissioned by Digital Science, Figshare and Springer Nature. Now in its eighth year we take a look at and track how researchers are deal- ing with research data in the context of open access, and the findings show that many researchers do not feel they are properly supported. Around three quarters of the 6,000 respondents said they “have never received support with planning, managing or sharing research data”. The results do not show whether or where respondents had sought help or advice.
A total of 23 per cent who had actively sought out support found it from a number of sources, with 61 per cent citing colleagues and supervisors as being useful. There were often multiple sources of support available, with 31 per cent relying on their institu- tional library, 26 per cent working with a research office or relying on in-house insti- tutional expertise. Publishers (21 per cent) and funders (17 per cent) were also seen as valuable sources of support.
The results suggest that there is a work to be done to ensure researchers can connect with data management support. In some cases, that support may be available, but researchers do not realise or seek it out. In other cases, there will be a need to build capacity, and as open data becomes an increasingly important element of funder requirements there is scope for libraries to lead and adapt their services.
36 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL
Rob Green (
rob.green@
cilip.org.uk) is Editor of Information Professional
Global differences
The survey reached researchers from across the world and results highlighted striking disparities in different countries. UK researchers were among the most likely be aware of the need for a Data Management Plan (DMP), and the survey also found that those who were aware of DMPs were more likely to have access to some form of data management support. Awareness of DMPs was highest in Ethiopia. The UK had the second highest awareness rate and was followed by the US. However awareness levels in India, Germany, Italy, Turkey, China and Japan all fell below the 50 per cent mark. In China and Japan, awareness of the need for data management plan was only around 25 per cent.
December 2023
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