Publicly Shared Data: A Gap Analysis of Researcher Actions and Institutional Support throughout the Data Life Cycle

Publicly Shared Data: A Gap Analysis of Researcher Actions and Institutional Support throughout the Data Life Cycle examines research data management and sharing practices at six research-intensive academic institutions: Cornell University, Duke University, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Virginia Tech, and Washington University in St. Louis. Sponsored by the US National Science Foundation (grant #2135874) and part of ARL’s Realities of Academic Data Sharing (RADS) Initiative, this report highlights where service gaps may exist between researchers’ needs and the services and support provided by institutions. This report offers guidance for academic institutions aiming to improve coordination of their research data management and sharing services and infrastructure. It is particularly relevant for institutions developing strategies to support researchers effectively and efficiently in response to existing and forthcoming federal mandates on data sharing. This report is also useful in institutional planning for resource allocation of research data management and sharing services towards compliance as well as broader open science objectives.