Preparedness of Academic Libraries for the Adoption of Research Data Management; A Case of Selected University Libraries in Kenya
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Date
2025-09
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Research data entail information gathered during a research project. Research data management is a distinct data lifecycle-related tasks and activities, including metadata creation and design, storage, security, preservation, retrieval, sharing, and reuse. The activities take into account technical capabilities, ethical considerations, legal ramifications, governance frameworks, and technical know-how. Evidence indicates that lack of adopted strategies to manage research data has led to duplication of efforts, unverifiable study findings, and waste of public fund in undocumented research data. Therefore, the study sought to assess the knowledge and key competencies of librarians in the context research data management; collaborative partnerships; structure that drives research data management; policy and legal framework; and data architecture model which academic libraries could adopt to support RDM activities. The study used the technology, economic, legal, organizational, and schedule (TELOS) feasibility model coined by Hall (2007). The study used descriptive quantitative design. The total population was 73 and a sample size was determined using the Slovin’s sample size determination method which led to a sample of 62 participants including academic librarians, directors of research, and graduate school board staff selected purposively. Also, structured closed-ended were used. The study used content validity to establish the degree to which the measure represented the paradigm of interest. Cronbach Alpha test was employed to measure questionnaire’s reliability which confirmed reliability at 0.78. The descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyze data gathered quantitively and finding presented using tables, graphs, and pie-chart. The study reveals RDM knowledge, skills, and competencies in libraries which have integrated RDM services in the library role. The collaboration exists at interdisciplinary level. The study reveals availability of standards for metadata creation, security for metadata data and responsibility, strategies to make metadata available and when, understanding on cost implication, and who the target for the managed research data. The policies help in handling process and legal framework on ethical issues and concerns. On data architecture the majority preferred the repository model citing practically, flexible functions and utility, giving a foundation for coordinated planning and collaborative activities in academic libraries. In relations to preparedness the participants had high level of knowledge, skills, and competencies particularly Egerton though Kenyatta university have knowledge on RDM but lack the skills and competencies to handle RDM role effectively. On technical preparedness Egerton is more prepared compared to Kenyatta university though diverse understanding of data standards, security, how to make data globally available and when, cost implication and target users for the managed data. The studied libraries were prepared with policies to handle RDM though there were varied views on what the policy should cover and legal framework to handle ethical issues. The study concluded that low level of knowledge, skill and competencies in Kenyatta university could be attributed to lack of integration of RDM service in librarian’s role. The interdisciplinary collaboration could be sufficient to handle RDM process. The technical structure should be well defined to handle all phases of research data for a seamless process. On policy there should be evidence-based policies to match with open science methods. The study recommends continuous education on RDM through formal training, seminars, and workshop for successful RDM. Also, extension of interdisciplinary collaboration to partnership with stakeholders. On policy and data architecture institutions should come together in drafting RDM policy for best practice and agree on architecture which could allow widely sharing of research data
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Information Science) in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University. September, 2025
Supervisors
Gitau Njoroge
Ronald Bituka