Managing Research Data

Data management has become an essential requirement for information professionals in the last decade, particularly for the higher education research community, as more and more digital information is created and stored. As budgets shrink and funders of research increasingly demand evidence of value for money and demonstrable benefits for society, there is increasing pressure to provide plans of sustainable management of data. Ensuring that important information remains discoverable, accessible and intelligible and is shared as part of a larger web of data will mean research has a life beyond its initial purpose and can offer real utility to the wider institution and beyond. This edited collection, bringing together leading figures in the field from the UK and around the world, provides an introduction to all the key data issues facing the HE and information management communities. Using the authors' expertise and relevant international case studies, it defines what is required to achieve a culture of effective data management offering practical advice on the skills required, legal and contractual obligations, strategies and management plans and the data management infrastructure of specialists and services. Each chapter covers a critical element of data management including: the meaning of data management; the lifecycle of data management; the policy environment; an organisational approach to achieving digital sustainability; data management plans and planning; roles and responsibilities for libraries and librarians; the challenge to university information services; an analysis of the New World approach; and resources and sources of support to data management. This is essential reading for librarians and information professionals working in the higher education sector, the research community, policy makers and university managers. It will also be a useful introduction for students taking courses in information management, archivists and national library services.