Seeing oneself as a data reuser: How subjectification activates the drivers of data reuse in science

Abstract

Considerable resources are being invested in strategies to facilitate the sharing of data across domains, with the aim of addressing inefficiencies and biases in scientific research and unlocking potential for science-based innovation. Still, we know too little about what determines whether scientific researchers actually make use of the unprecedented volume of data being shared. This study characterizes the factors influencing researcher data reuse in terms of their relationship to a specific research project, and introduces subjectification as the mechanism by which these influencing factors are activated. Based on our analysis of semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 24 data reusers and intermediaries, we find that while both project-independent and project-dependent factors may have a direct effect on a single instance of data reuse, they have an indirect effect on recurring data reuse as mediated by subjectification. We integrate our findings into a model of recurring data reuse behavior that presents subjectification as the mechanism by which influencing factors are activated in a propensity to engage in data reuse. Our findings hold scientific implications for the theorization of researcher data reuse, as well as practical implications around the role of settings for subjectification in bringing about and sustaining changes in researcher behavior.

Data Reuse in Agricultural Genomics Research: Present Challenges and Future Solutions

“…Additionally, user skill level, awareness of resources and time investment into data management are likely inhibiting a lot of productive reuses and limiting how many resources are being made available for future reuse. A recent study 13 shows that, at least anecdotally, skill or perceived ability was identified by many participants as a major factor influencing reuse behavior. Concerning methods of data storage, sharing, and management was identified across all science sectors and types of research activities, with most respondents to a 2017-2018 global survey of scientists exhibiting "high and mediocre risk data practices'', for example storing data on USB drives 11 .…”

“…More and more exciting publications 9,10 are being produced that highlight the value of data reuse, but still, many datasets are not reusable, or scientists may feel they do not trust or do not want to use the data 11 . Several review articles have discussed the opportunities and challenges of data reuse 5,[12][13][14][15] , the latter highlighted in Figure 1.…”

The knowledge and reuse practices of researchers utilising government health information assets, Victoria, Australia, 2008–2020

“…Appropriate information must be available to answer questions of provenance, structure, definitions, quality, access and consent [ 24 ]. In parallel, researchers must have the intent to use, and sufficient skill to interrogate, manipulate and analyse these data and related documentation [ 25 ].…”