Monash University Library
Research Data Collections Project
Small steps to building research
data management capability
Paula Todd, Jackie Waylen & Kerry Murphy, Research Data Librarians
Monash University Library
Project goals


Ensuring data collections from selected publicly funded research projects
are discoverable and, where possible, accessible
Building human capability at the local level and contributing to the national
community emerging from ANDS-related activities
Background
While I'm aware of the general areas
that academics are researching in, it
provides a far deeper understanding
of current research projects.
 Monash University Library has 40 contact librarians supporting
10 faculties across 8 Australian libraries
 Contact librarians work in cross campus faculty teams
collaborating and sharing skills
 Five library staff members were seconded to work on the ANDS
project team from it’s commencement and another thirty
contributed to the project by involvement in the interviews with
researchers
Sustainability after the project
I have a better understanding
of the work our researchers
are undertaking.
The project team benefitted from the expertise of the contact
librarians and their relationships with the researchers in their
faculties
Library initiatives
Skills and experience gained throughout the project will
be retained within the library
Formulate action plans and create working groups of
librarians to sustain partnerships with researchers
I now feel more confident
about promoting existing data
management tools.
Working with researchers to improve the way research
data is stored, managed and disseminated
Contact librarians benefitted by building on existing working
relationships and creating new opportunities for interaction with
the researchers. Their comments are highlighted in Figure 2.
I have a better understanding of
the importance of early planning
and discussion about data
management.
Knowledge of data management processes developed through
collaboration with members of the project team
Faculty participation in interviews
Perfect opportunity to meet and fully
appreciate the research interests and
talents of academics who had
previously been a name at the end of
an email.
Being involved in an interview provided a
deeper insight into individual research
activities than might otherwise be
possible, and in a broader sense
contributes to strengthening the
connection between the Library and
Faculty.
Strengthening
existing
working
relationships /
creating new
opportunities
for interaction
with
researchers
Increasing
knowledge of
data
management
processes
through
collaboration
with
members of
project team
Developing
skills in data
collection
and
description
Broadening
contact
librarians’
understanding
of scope and
complexity of
researchers’
fields of work
Involving
contact
librarian in the
interview
process
enhanced
understanding
of the value of
the project
Utilise the in-depth expertise of former project team
members, carried out as a structured program with clear
roles and responsibilities
University initiatives
 Developing and trialling data planning methodologies
with a sub-set of researchers that have successfully
applied for ARC grants
 Mainstreaming data management skills through an
expanded program of professional development
opportunities for researchers, especially Higher Degree
by Research students
 Rollout of the Monash University Research Data
Management Policy Framework to selected groups
across the university
Figure 2. Contact librarian skills and knowledge development and comments on their participation in interviews
Figure 1. Level of participation in interviews by Faculty
The Research Data Collection Projects has reinforced the need for the Library to engage researchers early in the
research project planning process, and ideally early in their research careers. The skills and expertise built through the
ANDS Research Data Collections Project will enable library staff to make earlier and more effective interventions to
improve research data management at Monash University.
Project acknowledgement
This project is supported by the Australian National Data Service (ANDS)
through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy
Program, as well as through the Monash University Library.
http://www.ands.org.au/
www.lib.monash.edu
Paula.todd@monash.edu
Jacqueline.waylen@monash.edu
Kerry.murphy@monash.edu