Context
Much of today's research involves creating and analyzing vast amounts of data of unprecedented size and complexity, and storing it for possible future use. In the spring of 2007, CARL conducted a survey of member activities in regards to researcher-generated data. The survey found that most libraries are interested in storing this data, but few have a formal data archiving policy. To this end, CARL is forming a Data Management Sub-Committee to assist members in collecting, organizing, preserving and providing access to the research data generated at their own institutions, and to formulate a cooperative approach for CARL.
Subcommittee Terms of Reference
Papers and Publications
Other Initiatives
CARL Data Management Subcommittee Terms of Reference
- To undertake a survey of international initiatives related to the management of researcher-generated data
- To undertake a survey of existing Canadian initiatives related to the management of researcher-generated data
- To identify options for the role for libraries in collecting, organizing and providing access to researcher-generated data
- To develop "best practice" models or frameworks for the management of researcher-generated data to be used by individual CARL members
- To develop a plan for a cooperative approach to be adopted by CARL in relation to the collection and organization of research-generated data (i.e. because data management practices are very discipline specific; one possible model is "centers of excellence" for different disciplines at different institutions)
- To liaise with the related initiatives such as the ARL Task Force on e-Science, the granting councils, and disciplinary-based initiatives
- To recommend to the Scholarly Communications Committee actions arising out of the above
- To report regularly at General Meetings
- To draw up an annual budget for the work of the Sub-Committee and submit it to the SCC
Membership
The Working Group will consist of up to five members from CARL institutions.
Papers and Publications
Addressing the Research Data Gap: A Review of Novel Services for Libraries March 2010 (PDF)
Research Data: Unseen Opportunities (brochure, PDF)
Research Data : Unseen Opportunities Awareness Toolkit developed for the CARL Data Management Sub-Committee (PDF)
Congress 2009 Handout Prerserving and sharing research data to advance learning, discovery and knowledge (PDF)
Working paper: Survey of Canadian and International Data Management Initiatives, April 2008 (PDF)