Research Data Management Workshop Mission: Raising Awareness of Data Danger Zones

Abstract

Purpose: To describe an NNLM training office Biomedical and Health Research Data Management (RDM) for Librarians course Capstone Project presenting a workshop for Health Science Center graduate students, post docs and research faculty. Setting: Anecdotal evidence from graduate studies, research and faculty development leadership indicated a need at this librarian’s institution for training about RDM concepts, but content specifics were unclear. A high-level workshop was offered to introduce potential “data danger zones,” review solutions, and identify areas for future training and consultations. Brief Description: Local examples and content from data management teaching toolkits addressed security, data and workflow documentation, backup, archiving and preservation. Participants would learn about tools and resources for support. For expertise outside the instructor’s sphere, partners across the institution were featured, including IT, the statistics collaboration center, and a computer lab teaching software tools. Short presentations to promote the workshop highlighted danger zones and invited busy faculty to send lab personnel to gather information for discussion within their own lab. Outcome: The workshop was attended by twenty-two people, including one entire lab brought to the class by their faculty lead. The class was a mix of graduate students, faculty, staff and postdocs. Most attendees were interested in learning more about basic organization, workflow processes, tools and documentation in light of rigor and reproducibility issues. Conclusion: Another workshop will be broadcast to all campuses this Fall and feedback will inform future faculty, staff and graduate student research development offerings.