Survey of research data management practices at the University of Pretoria, South Africa: October 2009 – March 2010

Abstract

The University library, in order to assist the Faculties with the management and archiving of research data and material, undertook a survey to capture and document research data management practices, and identify problems and possible solutions for the University of Pretoria. All Faculties were included in the survey which documented different role players, ranging from a Dean and Heads of Department to post-graduate students in order to achieve a good cross-section.

The aim of this paperis to inform relevant stakeholders of current research data management practices within the University of Pretoria and to present researchers’ top requirements for services to assist them in this task.

Fifty-two interviews were conducted by 15 information specialists from the relevant Faculty libraries. Each Faculty’s Research Committee was requested by the Vice Principal: Research and Postgraduate Studies to identify up to three researchers to take part in the survey. Each researcher also identified at least one post-graduate student who could participate in the survey. The information specialists received formal training in interview techniques.

The general trends of the findings will be discussed, using six major categories: funding, data collection, processing of data, publishing, support and top requirements.