A Vision for Research Data Management (RDM) at McMaster

Abstract

Throughout 2021-2022, McMaster’s Research Data Management (RDM) Institutional Strategy Working Group (ISWG) has engaged with research stakeholders across the university to develop an institutional strategy for RDM that addresses the first requirement of the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy and establishes a clear vision for the infrastructure, resources, and services required to implement and support best practices at McMaster. The group is following the guidance provided by the Digital Research Alliance of Canada’s Institutional Research Data Management Strategy Development Template, which includes the following steps:

Stage 1: Assemble a Strategy Development Team Stage 2: Assess the Current State of RDM Stage 3: Envision the Future State of RDM Stage 4: Articulate the Institution’s Path Forward Stage 5: Assemble and Launch the Strategy

This document presents an idealized, future state for RDM at McMaster, reflecting the third step in this process. Information has been compiled from environmental scan activities (analyses of previous IT reviews, environmental scan of current services and resources, a researcher RDM survey, and focus groups with RDM stakeholders) carried out during step 2 of this process, as well as through focus groups within the ISWG. Results are presented by theme, beginning with high-level considerations and recommendations specific to discrete aspects of Research Data Management. The cross-cutting themes of Services and Training are summarized at the end but are prominent throughout the preceding themes.