Modifying researchers' data management practices: A behavioural framework for library practitioners. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hickson, Susan; Poulton, Kylie Ann; Connor, Maria; Richardson, Joanna; Wolski, Malcolm
• Other Names: Witt Michael guest-editor.; Horstmann Wolfram guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: IFLA journal. Volume 42:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 253
• Page End: 265
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Attitude -- behaviour -- behavioural framework -- capability -- libraries -- motivation -- opportunity -- research data management; Comparative librarianship -- Periodicals; International librarianship -- Periodicals; Library cooperation -- Periodicals; Library science -- Periodicals; 020.9
• DOI: 10.1177/0340035216673856
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0340-0352

Abstract

Data is the new buzzword in academic libraries, as policy increasingly mandates that data must be open and accessible, funders require formal data management plans, and institutions are implementing guidelines around best practice. Given concerns about the current data management practices of researchers, this paper reports on the initial findings from a project being undertaken at Griffith University to apply a conceptual (A-COM-B) framework to understanding researchers' behaviour. The objective of the project is to encourage the use of institutionally endorsed solutions for research data management. Based on interviews conducted by a team of librarians in a small, social science research centre, preliminary results indicate that attitude is the key element which will need to be addressed in designing intervention strategies to modify behaviour. The paper concludes with a discussion of the next stages in the project, which involve further data collection and analysis, the implementation of targeted strategies, and a follow-up activity to assess the extent of modifications to current undesirable practices.