Mapping current topics

Learning objective

After this assignment you have gained understanding about the current developments in the working field of the data librarian who is supporting researchers/research groups in their research data management. You can use the necessary tools which will enable you to proactively keep abreast of the developments in your profession.  

                    data cake
                                             Image by EpicGraphic

Approach

During this assignment you get yourself up to date on the latest developments in the support of data-intensive science. If you wish, you can focus on a specific subtopic. But you can also just start by following the suggestions below.  

  • For starters, read the publication "Toegang tot onderzoeksdata" (in Dutch) by SURFshare1. 
    Two chapters are available in English2,3

  • Look for relevant information sources to get up to date. For example:

    • Search in databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar) for scientific literature on research data management and data curation

    • Subscribe to the JISC Research Data Management Mailing List 
      (it looks a bit old skool  but at the moment it is still an active source of information) 

    • Search on twitter for certain keywords. If you have a twitter account, follow people who have a lot do with research data management and data curation. You will find out soon enough who the digital curation gurus are.  
      The twitter account representing this course is www.twitter.com/datalibrarians

    • Take a Google alert on certain topics with certain keywords

    • Take a look at the homepages of relevant organisations. How can you find them? (Don't forget to think across borders) Can you find a way to subscribe to their news (letters)? (Email/RSS?) 

    • Look for relevant reports (for example within the sites of relevant organisations) and bookmark them in Google Bookmarks, so you can always revert to the original source

    • Find out whether there will be relevant congresses, symposia or seminars on this area (and go to some of them if you can make it)  

    • Pay a data curation expert within your organisation a visit

  • Once you have set out your search strategy, you keep up with new submissions.

                         

 

1. SURFshare. (2011). Toegang tot onderzoeksdata. Retrieved 8-12-2011 from 
http://www.surffoundation.nl/nl/themas/openonderzoek/permanentetoegangtotdata/Documents/ToegangOZdataweb.pdf
2. SURFshare. (2011). Data in Australia and the Netherlands: perseverance and dedication is required (Translation of chapter 7 in the book „Toegang tot Onderzoeksdata‟). Retrieved 8-12-2011 from http://www.surffoundation.nl/en/publicaties/Documents/7%20Interview%20AT_JR%2029%20July%202010_finalversion_English.pdf
3. SURFshare. (2011). It is essential for research data to be linked to publications (Translation of chapter 13 in the book „Toegang tot Onderzoeksdata‟). Retrieved 8-12-2011 from http://www.surffoundation.nl/en/publicaties/Documents/13%20interview%20Eefke%20Smit%20English.pdf

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