Introducing researchers to data management: Pedagogy and strategy
MLA Annual Meeting, 2013
Karen HansonKnowledge Systems [email protected]
Alisa SurkisTranslational Science [email protected]
Section: Introduction
• What is data?• What is the data lifecycle?• Why save it?
• Background• Class content• Evaluation, feedback• Aftermath & conclusions
The challenge
• Environmental scan• Complex environment• Lots of small isolated services• Lots of gaps• No obvious service point
• Where to start?• How do we gain credibility?
Teaching
• Start building a data management résumé • Learn more about what people need• Demonstrate understanding• Test the water!
Who did what why?
Karen Hanson, Knowledge Systems Librarian•Past life: programmer, database developer, lab assistant•Library life: digital archives, library data dashboard
Alisa Surkis, Translation Science Librarian• Past life: PhD Neuroscience, programmer• Library life: Liaison to Clinical & Translational Science Institute
Data!
You have 90 minutes…
• Part of lab management skills course for postdocs
• What can we accomplish in 90 minutes?• Goals: • Plant seeds of thought• Raise awareness • Give practical pointers for
immediate improvements
Section: Introduction
• What is data?• What is the data lifecycle?• Why save it?
• Background• Class content• Evaluation, feedback• Aftermath & conclusions
Content
• Introduction• Incentives (carrots & sticks)• Standards for description &
documentation• Storage, archiving and sharing• Data management plans
Scare tactics
Horror stories (article retractions)
“There were 60 children in the study. The ages were by accident duplicated between the upper and lower halves of the database. Thus, the ages for the first 30 children in the data set were identical and in the same order with the ages for the second set of 30 children…The files with the original data are not available any more, making it impossible to reconstruct a valid data set for reanalysis.”
- http://www.ctajournal.com/content/2/1/6/abstract
Real world examples
Chilling tales from our own lives
• At least we know where it is…
Look… we do need to teach this!• National survey of postdocs• ~2500 responses from 43 institutions analyzed
Pre-class survey handout
We baked a cake
• Majority of grants are from NIH (not NSF)• Covered “ingredients” of a good plan• Data management plan= carrot cake
Humor (OMG, LOL)
Section: Introduction
• What is data?• What is the data lifecycle?• Why save it?
• Background• Class content• Evaluation, feedback• Aftermath & conclusions
Went big on the dry run
• Attendees (~25)• Postdoc course director• Librarians from other NYU libraries• Representatives from Office of Science and Research• Representatives from CTSA training programs
• Constructive feedback, diverse perspectives
Opened up to whole medical center
Results
• 30 attendees • Cross section of research represented • Basic science• Population health• Clinical
• Feedback• Evaluations (23 completed)• In person questions• Follow up emails
definitely wouldn't
probably wouldn't
probably would
definitely would
0 5 10 15
0
1
8
14
Evaluation
NoYes
0 5 10 15 20
516
Will you use the topics covered in your work?
Would you be interested in future classes that went into more detail?
Evaluation
Other topics you would have liked to be covered?
• Most common response =“More information about NYULMC services” (5)
• Follow up questions, emails – same message
Section: Introduction
• What is data?• What is the data lifecycle?• Why save it?
• Background• Class content• Evaluation, feedback• Aftermath & conclusions
Since the class – taking the plunge!
Direct results:• Collaborating with clinical informatics to create
online learning modules• Developing data management concierge
service
Downstream effects:• Collaborating on Data
Management Core for CTSI
Lessons learned• Researchers need guidance on
local data support
• Class good level for introduction but advanced would be helpful
• Bears good mediums for delivering a message
• Good way to start expanding library’s data management role
LinksMaterial from the class:
Karen Hanson & Alisa Surkis. Introduction to Data Management [presentation + video]. http://nyuhsl.libguides.com/data_management
Other links
Aileen McCrillis, Alisa Surkis, Dorice Vieira, Pauline S. Beam, Tina O'Grady. Survival and Success Beyond Grad School: Improving Library Services to Postdoctoral Researchers. MLA 2012
Glenn Gaudette. Presentation at UMass’ 2012 New England eScience Symposium. (Cardiology example) http://escholarship.umassmed.edu/escience_symposium/2012/program/9/
ImagesUK Data Archive. Data lifecycle image. http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/create-manage/life-cycle
purpleapple428. “Let’s Go Swimming”. http://www.flickr.com/photos/purpleapple428/5452339625/
cimmyt. “Planting seeds of knowledge”. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cimmyt/8208414846/
wilf2.“Gummy smile” 2006. www.flickr.com/photos/wibbles/244268268
outcast104. “Vampire weekend” 2005. www.flickr.com/photos/outcast104/2011632229
afiler. “Piggly Wiggly Flour Bag” 2006. www.flickr.com/photos/afiler/121359709
Mel B. “Oil pour” 2008. http://www.flickr.com/photos/42dreams/2452877486
psrobin. “Baking Powder Still Life” 2010. www.flickr.com/photos/psrobin/5092598788
nedrichards. “Carrot Cake” 2006. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nedrichards/307600027
barretthall. “ears up”. http://www.flickr.com/photos/barretthall/2640229991/
Thank you!
Contacts:[email protected]@med.nyu.edu
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