ABSTRACT
In the era of the data deluge librarians are staking their claim to be involved in research data support and curation, and new roles are emerging. In 2011 Edith Cowan University Library completed a Seeding the Commons project funded by the Australian National Data Service (ANDS) that sought to identify and describe a selection of data sets produced by researchers at the university. A goal of the project was the collection and description of twelve data sets that could be shared. We were very successful in that ours was the first ANDS project to be completed in Western Australia, with a total of sixteen data sets collected. As part of the project, the librarians involved learned new skills, including conducting data interviews, describing data using the RIF-CS schema, and understanding the many issues surrounding the management of research data.
As a result of the project, researchers' data management requirements were identified, and gaps in the services and infrastructure available to meet these needs started to become clear. Librarians' skills in assisting researchers with data management have also become obvious, and library services to support researchers are now being developed, as a secondary outcome of this project
7. Do librarians have the
skills needed?
Re-skilling for Research
(Auckland, 2012)
8. 9 skills gaps
1. Ability to advise on preserving
research outputs
2. Knowledge to advise on data
management and curation
3. Knowledge on complying with
funder mandates, incl open
access
(Auckland, 2012)
9. 4. Knowledge to advise on
potential data manipulation tools
5. Knowledge to advise on data
mining
6. Knowledge to advocate, and
advise on, the use of metadata
(Auckland, 2012)
10. 7. Ability to advise on the
preservation of project records
8. Knowledge of sources of
research funding
9. Skills to develop metadata
schema
(Auckland, 2012)
14. References
Auckland, M (2012), Re-skilling for Research, Research Libraries UK (RLUK) report http://www.rluk.ac.uk/content/re-
skilling-research
Corrall, S (2012), Skills Which Librarians Need, presentation at “Clarifying The Roles Of Libraries In Research Data
Management: A Discussion Day To Find Creative Solutions”, RL UK http://www.rluk.ac.uk/content/clarifying-roles-
libraries-research-data-management-discussion-day-find-creative-solutions
Institute for the Future (2011), Future Work Skills 2020 report http://apolloresearchinstitute.com/node/52
Images
NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa_goddard/6559334995/
NERSC Franklin Cray XT4s - supercomputer cluster http://www.flickr.com/photos/berkeleylab/3592326251/
Wired UK - NDNAD Infographic http://www.flickr.com/photos/blprnt/3597686581/
Future work skills 2020 http://www.iftf.org/system/files/deliverable/IFTF_FutureWorkSkillsSummary.gif
LKSC Go HD, Maestro, Classroom training http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanfordedtech/4821085179/
iStillness by Shapeshift http://www.flickr.com/photos/shapeshift/85220007/
Editor's Notes
According to the recent, the Institute for the Future (IFTF) Report at the University of Phoenix http://librariesinteract.info/2012/01/29/future-work-skills-2020/The Six drivers of change in the future workplace are:Extreme longevity Rise of smart machines and systems Computational world – data New media ecology – a new way of communicating Super-structured organisations – new technologies Globally connected world –diversity and adaptability What skills are needed to work in this new landscape?Sense-making Social intelligence Novel & adaptive thinking Cross-cultural competency Computational thinking - dataNew-media literacy TransdisciplinaryDesign mindset Cognitive load management Virtual collaboration These drivers of future change and associated skills required in the workplace resonate with librarians and the current skills many already have. However, working with researchers and their data may seem like a stretch from traditional research support on libraries.Reference: http://www.iftf.org/system/files/deliverable/SR-1382A%20UPRI%20future%20work%20skills_sm.pdf
The context:In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in computing speeds, storage and bandwidth.“Large-scale, distributed global collaboration is now possible, using distributed information technologies, supported by next generation cyber-infrastructure” – this has lead to the rise of eScience. – or eResearchHow scientists and researchers work is changing, as the tools and workflows they use are changing. The types of problems they address, and the way they communicate the results of their research are also changing.How do libraries support researchers in this environment?
Traditional roles of the library with regards to information:OrganiseProvide accessPreserveAnd for a teaching focussed university like ECU, we have also concentrated on our information literacy offerings, and have been building collections to support undergraduate students
We’re accustomed to talking about “information”, not DATA.ANDS project found that researchers across the university produce a wide variety of data types: qualitative, quantitative in various formatsHow do we preserve, provide access to, and SHARE data?
ANDS project done in 2011 found a number of things:InfrastructureAwareness – of obligations, best practiceServices – time poor academic staff
2012 Re-skilling for Research report identified a skills gapRe-skilling for Research In January 2012 in the UK RLUK (Research Libraries UK) published a major report by Mary Auckland on the changing needs of researchers and the effect on the subject/liaison role within libraries. Research practices and activities are changing and evolving, research support provided by libraries must evolve with them. In terms of what libraries are currently offering the, Re-skilling for Research report found a Skills gap 9 areas:
The 9 areas identified as having potentially the most significant skills gap are: The Ability to advise on preserving research outputsKnowledge to advise on data management and curation, including ingest, discovery, access, dissemination, preservation, and portability Knowledge to support researchers in complying with the various mandates of funders, including open access requirementsKnowledge to advise on potential data manipulation tools used in the disciplineKnowledge to advise on data miningKnowledge to advocate, and advise on, the use of metadata Ability to advise on the preservation of project records e.g. Knowledge of sources of research funding to assist researchers to identify potential funders Skills to develop metadata schema, and advise on discipline/subject standards and practices, for individual research projects
4. Knowledge to advise on potential data manipulation tools used in the discipline5. Knowledge to advise on data mining
6. Knowledge to advocate, and advise on, the use of metadata 7. Ability to advise on the preservation of project records e.g. correspondence
A quick poll of library schools around Australia was done – asked the question “does the school teach a unit on research data management?”Only one school answered yes