Zoya Abam; Mohaddeseh Afzali
Abstract
IntroductionResearch Data Services (RDS) are defined as services that support the research data lifecycle. Introduction: Although researchers are responsible for the stages of creating and collecting, processing, and analyzing their research data, the responsibility for the reuse of data, the stages ...
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IntroductionResearch Data Services (RDS) are defined as services that support the research data lifecycle. Introduction: Although researchers are responsible for the stages of creating and collecting, processing, and analyzing their research data, the responsibility for the reuse of data, the stages of tracking and obtaining research data files, evaluation and selection, secure storage, description, organization, protection, and long-term preservation in the data lifecycle is not with researchers. All of these stages are areas in the data lifecycle that should be carried out by "Research Data Services". The purpose of this study was to identify the status of research data services (RDS) in central libraries of public universities affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) and to determine the status and identify its importance and requirements. Literature ReviewThe need for infrastructure in the field of research, including the challenges of managing research data, is essential (Osareh, Sam & Ghaebi, 2022; Singh, Bharti and Madalli, 2022; Kim, 2021; Chiware & Becker, 2018; Nhendodzashe & Pasipamire, 2017; Tenopir et al., 2017). Many research findings have indicated that the provision of these services in universities is still in its early stages. (Singh, Bharti & Madalli, 2022; Chiware & Becker, 2018; Nhendodzashe & Pasipamire, 2017). However, these services are recently being offered in the university libraries of some developed countries. (Yu, 2017; Tenopir et al., 2017; Cox, et al., 2017; Kerby, 2016; Si et al., 2015). Some research findings have acknowledged that librarians and libraries are the best resources for providing research data services. Additionally, librarians believe that conducting these services through libraries is of great importance, considering it enhances the library’s collection and services (Kim, 2021; Faniel & Connaway, 2017; Tenopir et al., 2017; Si et al., 2015; Searle et al., 2015). Meanwhile, other research findings have shown the need to increase librarians’ professional knowledge in this area (Cox, et al., 2017; Chiware & Becker, 2018; Faniel & Connaway; Nhendodzashe & Pasipamire, 2017; Searle, 2015; Hiom, 2015). By surveying and summarizing the research on research data services, one may conclude that the field of research data services is a relatively new area with its specific issues and subjects. MethodologyThe present research is an applied one in terms of purpose which has been conducted in a descriptive survey method. A researcher-made questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire consists of 4 parts and contains a total of 49 items. The statistical population consists of 94 managers of central libraries of public universities affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology(MSRT). Finally, 72 (76.59%) managers answered the questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. ResultsResearch findings indicated that library managers have a positive attitude towards the importance of research data services and more than 70% of them strongly agree that library data research services are of great importance. The findings also showed that all the requirements for research data services are very important. But based on average ratings, availability of appropriate technology infrastructure for research data services (8.85), development of enterprise repository software for research data management (8.85), existence of a research data plan for research data services (8.76), development of librarians' knowledge and skills in research data services (8.42) and librarians' desire to develop their knowledge and skills in research data services (8.33) were the most important requirements for providing research data services. In addition, currently, many libraries intend to perform research data services (between one to three years or more over the next three years), some of which have no plans to provide these services and few of them provide these services partially or completely. The findings also indicated that from the point of view of managers, the librarians' knowledge and skills of central libraries of public universities affiliated to MSRT (3.1 average) are generally above average for performing research data services. DiscussionThe provision of research data services by the library is important for various reasons. Among these, the benefits and advantages include adequate responsiveness to the research needs of the university by the library, allocation of scientific, executive, and functional credit for executing innovative research services to the library, increased collaboration between the library and faculty members, postgraduate students, and planning for allocating more budget to library services. Undertaking research data services leads to the integrated management of various research resources generated in the university, enhancement of library collections and services, and the benefit of researchers from library-based research data services. Considering the mentioned points and the current status of research data services in libraries, it can be stated that with appropriate planning for creating and developing the identified essential requirements, steps toward the advancement and improvement of the current situation can be taken. However, preparing the prerequisites for providing these services itself is somewhat of facing the challenges of its execution and overcoming obstacles in operationalizing such services. This matter requires comprehensive and all-encompassing support from the university for the library and timely and effective efforts by the library. ConclusionConsidering the importance of providing research data services by academic libraries, paying attention to the requirements of these services can be effective in the improvement of performing the research data services in academic libraries. There is also a fundamental need to develop librarians' knowledge and skills in research data services. The results of this research can be used in universities, especially the central libraries of universities, to plan research data services.
