Joint project examines research data management at universities of applied sciences
Research projects at universities of applied sciences generate large volumes of data. The “SAN-DMP” project, led by Prof. Dr Mirjam Blümm from the Institute of Information Science at TH Köln, is investigating how this vast amount of data can be systematically recorded and made available for long-term use.
Together with Prof. Dr Heike Neuroth from the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences and Prof. Dr Stefan Schmunk from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, the aim is to identify needs in research data management as well as barriers, in order to develop recommendations for action.
Texts, images, minutes, audio recordings and tables: these are all potential research data generated in academic projects and are usually available in digital form. Universities of applied sciences, in particular, face challenges in this regard: as projects are usually carried out in collaboration – for example, with partners from the cultural sector, public administration or industry – data is generated at various points, and access to this data is necessary.
The SAN-DMP collaborative project focuses on the visibility, acceptance and use of so-called data management plans. These are key documents for research data management, as they set out how data is to be handled, including responsibilities, formats and legal considerations. Their aim is to ensure that data remains discoverable, understandable and thus usable for as long as possible.
“We want to map out the specific needs for data management plans, identify any gaps and develop recommendations to remove barriers to research data management. The aim is to stimulate discussion on the topic and, for the first time, to identify the requirements of universities of applied sciences,” explains Blümm. In interviews with experts, not only will researchers and internal university stakeholders have their say, but partners from the field will also be interviewed.
About the SAN-DMP project
The SAN-DMP collaborative project, led by Prof. Dr Mirjam Blümm from the Institute of Information Science at TH Köln in cooperation with Prof. Dr Heike Neuroth from Potsdam University of Applied Sciences and Prof. Dr Stefan Schmunk from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, will run until February 2023. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the project with approximately 190,000 euros as part of the programme ‘Reuse and Management of Research Data at Universities of Applied Sciences’.
An article by the project management team at TH Köln