Otago Biodiversity Data Management Project Part 2: A Qualitative Report

Abstract

When a life scientist pointed to a pile of unpublished, uncatalogued reports, stacked untidily on the floor of his office, he unwittingly started a series of conversations that were to bring the Library and many researchers at the University of Otago into a much wider global debate about how we define, value, store, use and share ‘research’ in the 21st century. This initial ‘chance’ conversation rapidly led to other conversations, both within and beyond this department. During the next 15 months, more than 70 University of Otago researchers and external experts – both local and international - were interviewed. All of these conversations were based loosely around the same question: ‘If the Library could do one thing to better support your research, what would that be?’

This question generated wide ranging discussions around the challenges and benefits of managing (largely) unpublished research information – information ranging in format from traditional, text-based print to often highly unstructured research data (image, text and statistical). Other topics or ‘themes’ to emerge during these interviews included the roles and potentials of the university library, policy makers and funders, particularly around managing research data (both at Otago and more generally). Many researchers also shared comments, suggestions and insights about the research process itself.

The interviews were analysed within the context of a ‘mixed methodology’, combining a qualitative research approach (coding interview themes to extract meaning), with knowledge gained from the literature and also from data management and biodiversity experts. This Qualitative Report should also be read in conjunction with the earlier quantitative Questionnaire Report, as there is considerable overlap (questions and findings) between these reports. This robust research approach enhances the ability to validate any research findings.

Recommendations The report’s SIX recommendations address some of the more complex information issues and challenges facing research organisations today. All of these recommendations are based on the findings of conversations with University of Otago and other researchers; all fall outside the scope of traditional librarianship and all could be actioned immediately:

1. Find out what collections currently exist at the University of Otago 2. Find out how researchers currently manage their own websites/bibliographies 3. Develop a ‘support package for emerging researchers’ (in collaboration with others) 4. Capture/manage data now, in conjunction with thesis deposit 5. Lobby for new information professionals/specialists (such as data scientists) 6. Identify collaborative projects, targeting those likely to attract external funding