ABSTRACT

There is an increase in awareness of implementing research data services in universities globally. Nowadays, it is becoming more common for universities and academic libraries to serve their patrons with academic journals, publications, and open access to their raw research data. They also provide research data-related services, including research data platforms and data verse. Previous studies showed that open research data encourages research data sharing amongst individuals and has a lot of potential in improving collaboration between researchers. It is useful because it solves problems like those we have seen during the COVID19 pandemic where collaboration is required globally. Open access to research data also benefits us in increasing transparency, openness, and reproducibility beneficial for society and science development. However, issues and challenges , such as privacy, ownership, and security need to be addressed. This study employs a literature review in exploring open research data and data sharing practices in universities in the United States (US). It also takes the perspectives of policies, programs, platforms, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Thus far, the findings indicate that policies regarding open research data have been in place at the US national level. These policies require (and often encourage) researchers to make their research data open to the public. The national open access to research data policy is one of the main drivers for US universities to practice open research data. Most US universities support national-level policies of open research data. However, only some universities have their custom policies regarding this. since it involves technical issues, which. are related to accessibility, lack of resources (time, skills, and facilities), and appropriate infrastructure. Issues of these nature have not been accounted for in current policies. Open research data practices should account for and address access to resources and intellectual property protection. Some additional concerns of open research data policies are related to data retention and curation. In the increasing practice of digital research data, another common issue is that research data can become obsolete and expire over time. In the process of keeping research data, it is important to investigate the data’s value and usability in the long term. Data maintenance is important for effective use of human, financial, and material resources and to maintain the long-term management of digital records. Many academic libraries in the US also provide their users with data literacy programs helping them to manage, use, reuse, and share research data adhering to the best practices and policies. This study gives recommendations to help universities and academic libraries create sustainable and ideal open research data practices.

KEYWORD

Open Research Data, Research Data Sharing, Research Data Services, Research Data Management, RDM

Muhamad Prabu Wibowo

Information Sciences
College of Communication and Information
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida, USA

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