An Assessment Framework to Govern and Manage Research Data within Research Institutions

Abstract

Within research institutions there is a large variety of data and a large variety of research types. Many research institutions have some form of research data management in place but this can still be improved. These researches and data have a value which can be maximized via good data management. A lot of research has already been conducted on data management within commercial companies, however not yet on research data within research institutions. Therefor this research focuses on identifying an assessment framework for research data management within research institutions. This enables research institutions to understand the current situation and compare this to an ideal situation where the value of research and data are maximized. An initial assessment framework was created according to the literature from commercial as well as research institutions. This was validated by conducting interviews with 25 roles within a research institution and evaluated via a survey which was distributed among the same respondents. This resulted in an high-level assessment which can be used by different roles on different levels in the organization. Three domains are modeled within the assessment framework: data governance, data development and data operations management. Even though the assessment framework models an ideal situation which the current situation can be compared to, it does not tell you how to attain the ideal situation. By applying this assessment framework an ideal situation is compared to the current situation which allows the research institution to improve their research data management. This in turn allows the research institution to increase the value of research and research data which will improve the social position of the research institution.