DATA MANAGEMENT: DATA PUBLISING

1. DATA MANAGEMENT: DATA PUBLISING Data Management is the activity that involves “looking after” and processing research data, it involves: Looking after field questionnaires Entering data into computer files (Data Entry) Checking and preparing the data for analysis Maintaining outputs from the analysis Archiving of research data

2. Data Management Plan • data entry and checking • file management/massaging • backup • documentation • archive • ownership and access

3. What are our problems that lead to less data value? • Data and other research documents not linked • Data exposed due to poor documentation, inadequate backup, few people who know about any dataset • Projects with multiple partners often have no clear data ownership and sharing policy • Technical tools to help in research data management not known or adopted

4. What is Research Data Management? What is Research Data?Research data refers to data files, project proposals, protocols, reports, photos etc. These are all “data” in a wider sense, commonly known as “meta-data” that aid to describe the project. Publish Conceptualize Design Collect Capture Analyze Why care? • External reasons • Data Quality (credibility) • Data Processing Efficiency • Data Preservation

5. How do we maintain the chain: By use of a web-based technology to catalogue research data through data publishing as a data management tool.  The system: Uses of File properties - stored with the file but not as part of file contents. Set by the individuals Harvesting : data publishing “harvests” information about the files and produces list that can be browsed and searched based on number of different criteria. For examples lists all files containing concept notes or all files associated with certain project etc. These lists can be “published” on either the local machine or on an intranet. This helps both the individual researcher and organisation to organise their files and makes it easier to locate, thus leading to efficient and effective data management. It is also possible to view file contents. Individuals have complete control over whether or not to share their files. Also one could choose whether to include the files in the published lists. In conclusion, we are Suggesting that you… Capture file properties (Catalogs), whenever you create a new document. Share (i.e. harvest, integrate, publish, post) Catalogs When you are asleep! That’s for Wanyoike and I to facilitate. Use the updated Catalogs (to do new more interesting research) When you want.

6. Where does it start?

7. The data and their documentation are all in here

8. Capturing Meta-data Data Meta-data

9. Where is the catch? => An Exercise in File Cataloguing File properties Metadata Title: Subject/survey: Author(s) Company: Keywords: ILRI MTP Year Location Date Capturing meta-data: Capture file properties (Catalogs), whenever you create a new document: How?

10. In conclusion, we are Suggesting that you… • Capturefile properties (Catalogs), whenever you create a new document. • Share (i.e. harvest, integrate, publish, post) Catalogs When you are asleep! That’s for Wanyoike and I to facilitate. • Use the updated Catalogs when you want.

11. Discussions/comments after the presentation • Data owners should give rights to Eunice, so that she can capture data from their computers. • The Research Methods Group (RMG) is working on a policy on data/information ownership