Library Project 151 - Collaborating to Host a Research Data Management Symposium

Data discovery is becoming an increasing trend with the availability of public data sets as a part of the open access movement. Data sharing is developing norms and establishing standards to increase research reproducibility. Data management skills are required to execute the data life cycle steps, including creating, accessing, sharing, and re-using data. As health care begins to harness big data and other data sets for discovery purposes, scientists need to understand data management and incorporate best practices into their research. Discussions around data management often occur within individual departments or colleges on a university campus; however, the health sciences library has the opportunity to support an interdisciplinary, consolidated effort to connect 133s and resources across all disciplines. Greenblatt Library will conduct a needs assessment of the University 133s and stakeholders to assess the current climate and knowledge of data management on campus. Using the assessment results, the library will partner with the Universitys Vice-President for Research, Biostatistics, IT, Cancer Center, and Center for Nursing Research to host a day-long research data management symposium. National and local speakers will be invited and the format will include breakout sessions, a panel discussion, and displaying National Library of Medicine data science resources. The symposium will be planned for spring 2019 and aims to provide professional development for university 133s and librarians, and foster collaborative relationships with the campus research community. Continuing education credit will be sought for both health professionals and librarians attending. Greenblatt Library requests funding from NNLM/SEA Medical Library Project in support of this symposium inspiring best practices for research data management across the institution.