Quality Assessment for Research Data Management in Research Projects

Maturity models to assess research data management (RDM) in engineering research projects. For this purpose, individual maturity models are developed for identified process areas that include RDM activities based on their occurrence in the research process. These enable a qualitative assessment on discrete maturity levels, from an initial state to an optimizing final state. Researchers are primarily responsible for meeting the requirements of research data management, which is why the maturity models are aimed directly at the researchers in the research project and enable self-assessment. The individual maturity models follow a defined maturity structure with five maturity levels from an undefined, reactive stage to continuous improvement and active participation in the research community. This work thus shows the structural framework of the maturity models to be developed and offers an implementation of research data management in the research process.The authors would like to thank the Federal Government and the Heads of Government of the Länder, as well as the Joint Science Conference (GWK), for their funding and support within the framework of the NFDI4Ing consortium. Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) - project number 442146713