Research data management practices of chemistry researchers in federal universities of technology in Nigeria

Abstract

This is an exploratory study on the research data management practice of chemistry researchers in federal universities of technology in Nigeria. Research data are increasingly becoming important and are required by journal publishers and international funders to be carefully gathered and properly kept for validation of results, sharing, and future reuse. These chemistry researchers were purposively selected across the five federal universities of technology in Nigeria, namely Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMIN), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University of Technology, Bauchi (ATBU), and Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola (MAUTECH). A qualitative research technique using a semi-structured interview schedule was used to gather data from forty (40) chemistry researchers across the five federal universities of technology in Nigeria. These chemistry researchers were those with either a doctoral degree or currently undergoing doctoral training across all available options and ranks in chemistry. Interview questions were divided into four major sections covering chemistry researchers’ understanding of research data, experience with data loss, data storage methods and backup techniques, data protection, data preservation, and the availability of a data management plan. Findings, as derived from thematic analysis of transcribed responses, revealed that chemistry researchers' research data management practices need a lot of improvement to ensure long-term access, preservation, and reuse of their research data. The study recommended the need for libraries to embark on awareness and education of chemistry researchers on the benefits of good research data management practices.