User engagement in research data curation

Abstract

In recent years information systems such as digital repositories, built to support research practice, have struggled to encourage participation partly due to inadequate analysis of the requirements of the user communities. This paper argues that engagement of users in research data curation through an understanding of their processes, constraints and culture is a key component in the development of the data repositories that will ultimately serve them. In order to maximize the effectiveness of such technologies curation activities need to start early in the research lifecycle and therefore strong links with researchers are necessary. Moreover, this paper promotes the adoption of a pragmatic approach with the result that the use of open data as a mechanism to engage researchers may not be appropriate for all disciplinary research environments. © 2009 Springer.