Exploring the academic libraries' readiness for research data management: cases from Hungary and Estonia

The aim of this thesis was to examine the academic libraries readiness for research data management in countries where this issue is only getting recognised. Therefore, eight academic libraries from Estonia and Hungary has been contacted and asked to participate in this study. The main purpose was to gain understanding about how the different staff members of the participating libraries see their institutions’ role in research data management, as well as to gain insight about current practices at the institutions that could serve as a basis for possible future services in research data management. The thesis intended to use a multiple case study approach to examine and to be able to compare the current situation and future priorities of the participating institutions. The study found that while libraries are aware on the raising demands from various stakeholders to introduce RDM services, the issue is so complex that librarians alone certainly cannot handle it. The respondents noted a great level of optimism about the prospects of introducing RDM services, and librarians, as well as library directors were confident that they are able to tackle the issue. However, even if a very limited amount of data from an IT staff member suggests, there might be gaps between how different units within libraries perceive their institutions’ possible role in RDM. Limitations of the research were either planned delimitations like the country choices, or unintended, but natural flaws of the data collection technique. The implication of this thesis for relevant communities is that it presents a baseline for comparison of different countries, institutions, and units; moreover, it sheds light on issues that can be studied further by subsequent research