JISC

Overview

This project will build on earlier work by HATII and the DCC to support research data management. It will analyse needs at Glasgow and Cambridge across a number of different disciplines; propose a range of tools or services to address those needs; and develop, adapt and pilot these within each institution. Outputs will then be further adapted and prepared for embedding in local infrastructures and wider dissemination via the Digital Curation Centre, Digital Preservation Coalition, and JISC. The project intends to focus on the provision of softer infrastructure (e.g. templates, training, best practice guidelines, and policy).

Aims and objectives

The aim of Incremental is to inform, improve and increase research data curation within UK HEIs, by providing exemplars and resources for others to use. Specific objectives are: (1) to investigate current practices and requirements at each institution; (2) to develop a plan for addressing these requirements; (3) to pilot tools and services at each HEI and then make further adjustments and recommendations; (4) embed the work within each institution; and (5) to deliver resources and findings to the DCC, DPC and JISC for wider dissemination. In addition to resources, the project will seek to provide information about their cost and sustainability.

Project methodology

Both partners will take an active role in all aspects of the project. The project will undertake a scoping study, identifying requirements. It will then propose an infrastructure (tools and services) to address those requirements, and will pilot these within several departments in each institution. Evaluation of the pilot will inform further development and adaptation, with the outputs embedded in local services and disseminated more widely via the DCC, DPC and JISC.

Anticipated outputs and outcomes

The main outputs will form part of a supportive infrastructure for research data management, which will be embedded locally within each institution and disseminated widely via the DCC and others. The components of the infrastructure will be specified after the scoping work, but are likely to include data management plans, advisory services, guidelines, case studies and training. Project partners hope to develop improved data management practices within their institutions and to provide knowledge and tools to support other institutions in their support for research data management.