Managing Research Data

Citation

McNicol, S. (2012), "Managing Research Data", New Library World, Vol. 113 No. 11/12, pp. 623-623. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074801211282993

This edited collection brings together articles by leading figures in data management. The ten chapters cover topics such as roles and responsibilities, research data policies, national data centres and the data management lifecycle. Although it is largely UK‐focussed, several chapters look at data management from an international perspective. The management of research data is clearly becoming an important issue as funders require research data be stored and made accessible and librarians should be playing a key role in this activity.

Managing Research Data is described as providing “an introduction to all the key data issues facing the HE and information management communities”. However, I felt this collection would be more beneficial to those with existing knowledge of this field. Indeed, one of the strengths of the book is the level of detail provided and in‐depth discussion, which would make it extremely valuable to anyone with experience in this area, especially those with responsibility for making strategic decisions.

Perhaps one reason why those looking for an introduction to data management may struggle with this book is the lack of an introduction to guide the reader through the collection, and similarly, the absence of a final chapter synthesising messages from the book. These would have helped to bring the book together more effectively.

Overall, however, this is an excellent collection that brings together authors with considerable expertise and authority in this field. Their visions of the future directions of data management should be read and considered by anyone with an interest in storage and reuse of research data.