Research data management practice in higher education institutions in Ethiopia

Abstract

There is increasing pressure from funders, publishers, the public and other research organizations on researchers to improve their research data management. The main objective of the study was to examine the practices of research data management at higher education institutions in Ethiopia. The study was employed multi-stage sampling technique to select the actual sample unit of respondents. Eight first generation Universities and one Science and Technology University were selected based on purposive sampling technique. 390 faculty member and 119 stakeholder respondents were selected based on simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The findings revealed that majority of faculty members were used and produced spreadsheet and structured scientific and statistical research data formats. Majority of faculty members were used their personal device to hold their research data. The findings indicated that majority of faculty members were identified their needs of research data management services such as, data management template, storage facilities, research data management policy, guidelines and providing training. The level of awareness on research data management among faculty members was very low. The study concludes that proper research data management is not being practiced. Further research can be done on research data management framework at higher education institutions.

Keywords:

• Data management plan
• data management services
• research data
• research data management

Acknowledgement

We would like acknowledge all respondents who filled out our questionnaires properly. We would like to also acknowledge the University of Gondar that supports this research by providing necessary expenses.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alehegn Adane Kinde

Alehegn Adane Kinde is a Lecturer in the Department of Information Science at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. He is also a library Directorate Director at the University of Gondar.

Assefa Chekole Addis

Assefa Chekole Addis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Science at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia.

Getachew Gedamu Abebe

Getachew Gedamu Abebe is a Lecturer in the Department of Information Science at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia.