NN/LM NER e-Science Program, Researcher Support Committee White Paper on Supporting Researcher Needs

As more libraries become involved with Research Data Management (RDM) services, and the new strategic plan of the National Library of Medicine has a data focus, it is important to consider the researchers who create or collect data. There are many surveys and reviews in the literature about how researchers are managing their research data, as well as many case studies and surveys on how libraries are working to provide data management services. But anecdotal evidence and some surveys show that researchers aren’t always going to the library for data support. What can be done to change these perceptions and insure that libraries and librarians are valued partners in research data management? The Committee reviewed the literature and online information to learn more about what researchers actually want help with for data management, as well as what they probably need help with, although they don’t realize it. Whether surveys were conducted by librarians or other researchers, the top things researchers want are storage, including help with the various formats of data that need to be combined, help with analytics and other computational needs, and help with sharing. Many surveys show a need for metadata help, although researchers aren’t asking for it. This suggests that libraries developing data services need to provide, or facilitate access to, data storage and data analysis. They also need to learn about funder sharing policies and required and/or reliable outlets for sharing all types of data. Another survey result is the lack of awareness many researchers have about library data services. Some researchers do not think libraries are capable of storing data or helping with research, but others just aren’t aware that the service exists. Librarians setting up data services will need to make sure that outreach and marketing are part of the planning process from the beginning