Preferred but not Required: Examining Research Data Management Roles in Health Science Librarian Positions

Abstract

Introduction: Research data management (RDM) is being recognized as an increasingly important role for librarians. In this paper, the role of health science librarians in supporting research data management endeavors is examined.
 Methods: All job postings currently (as of April 5th, 2018) available on the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information (iSchool) job site were analyzed to identify positions related to health science librarianship. The job responsibilities and descriptions were then examined to identify instances where research data management was mentioned.
 Results: Thirty-two postings from the search results were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Of these thirty-two health science librarian postings which were included in the analysis, eight included supporting research data management services, in some capacity, as part of the position description.
 Discussion/ Conclusion: Through the job posting analysis, a picture emerges where RDM is not consistently seen as a role for health science librarians. However, the literature indicates that in many instances, research data management is already being done by health science librarians, and is a trend which is likely to continue in the future. As such, it is important that research data management services start being acknowledged and reflected in education and job description opportunities.

Academic libraries and research data management

“…Second, with regards to training, the literature seems to suggest that librarians do not always have adequate training for their professional development. There is a lack of adequate skills in the diff erent topics which encompass RDM such as DMP, data preservation, data reuse or copyright issues (Bradley-Ridout, 2018;Kim and Syn, 2021;Shelly and Jackson, 2018). Also, it can be challenging for academic librarians and information professionals to acquire the necessary skills to support new roles in RDM (Cox and Pinfi eld, 2014).…”

“…Case Study (Ball, 2013;Bardyn et al, 2018;Blumesberger, 2020;Bradley-Ridout, 2018;Chiware & Mathe, 2015;Clements, 2013;Hansen et al, 2021;Henderson & Knott, 2015;Kim and Syn, 2021;Kruse and Thestrup, 2014;Lindstädt and Schmitz, 2019;Mushi et al, 2020;Nie et al, 2021;Read et al, 2019;Reh wald and Stegemann, 2021;Searle, 2015;Shipman and Tang, 2019;Steiner, 2015;Strauch, 2019Strauch, , 2020 − Technology structure − Promotion of RDM by academic libraries − Relationship with stakeholders − Training Research papers (Bishop et al, 2021;Corrall et al, 2013;Cox et al, 2016Cox et al, , 2017Cox and Pinfi eld, 2014;Faniel and Connaway, 2018;Huang et al, 2021;Pinfi eld et al, 2014;Shelly and Jackson, 2018;Tenopir et al, 2014;Wu and Chen, 2016;Yoon and Schultz, 2017)…”

“…In addition, it is also necessary to collaborate and adopt agreements with external stakeholders such as technology providers to support RDM services in as many ways as possible. Because of the introduction of RDM services, and possible new services, in some research libraries new library positions have emerged such as "data curator", "data librarian", "data scientist", "data specialist", "data visualization librarian", "digital stewardship", "research data support", or "science librarian" (Ball, 2013;Bradley-Ridout, 2018;Corrall et al, 2013;Kim and Syn, 2021;Shipman and Tang, 2019;Tenopir et al, 2014). Also, at the university level, RDM policies need to be supported by the university management offi cers.…”

Gestión de datos de investigación y bibliotecas: preservando los nuevos bienes científicos

“…• Conocimiento de tecnologías de la información y familiaridad con lenguajes de programación para datos (p.ej. R y Python) (Bradley-Ridout, 2018;Federer, 2018;Kennan, 2016).…”

Eliciting Researchers’ Behaviour as the Foundation of Research Data Management Service Development

“…The library's role is to assist the researchers in managing the research data, and this involves curating, advising, and preserving research data (Chigwada et al, 2019). The literature highlighted that a librarian should become a partner to the researchers throughout the research lifecycle, and play an extra role in RDM, particularly in raising awareness and educating researchers on best practices in RDM (Bradley-Ridout, 2018;Conrad et al, 2017;Nitecki & Davis, 2019).…”