The Association of Research Libraries (ARL), California Digital Library (CDL), Association of American Universities (AAU), and Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) are pleased to release a communication toolkit for facilitating institutional communication and discussions around the broad adoption of persistent identifiers (PIDs) and machine-readable data management plans (maDMPs).
This communication toolkit draws upon the outcomes of a 2019 conference, “Implementing Effective Data Practices: A Conference on Collaborative Research Support,” convened by ARL, CDL, AAU, and APLU and sponsored by the US National Science Foundation (NSF). The overall goal of the conference was to explore the ways that scholarly communications stakeholders can assist in implementing a more connected ecosystem for research data outputs. A set of recommendations to support the broad adoption of persistent identifiers (PIDs) and machine-actionable data management plans (DMPs) was summarized in the final report. Specifically, the conference identified and determined:
- What barriers exist to implementing persistent identifiers and machine readable data management plans
- What kinds of model workflows might address those barriers, while minimizing faculty burden
- What implementation means for institutional data governance (for example, sharing DMPs across campus units, between institutions, and publicly)
- Findings to bring back to policy makers, funding agencies, and institutions so they can engage in a discussion about next steps
- Recommendations of effective practices for grants offices, including guidance to their researchers
The toolkit includes:
- Effective Data Practices Conference at a Glance (PDF)
- Presentation Slides (Google Slides)
- Discussion Questions (Google Doc)
- Reading List (Google Doc)
- Implementing Effective Data Practices report
The slides (Google Slides) are a key component of the toolkit. This slide deck is broken down into four parts:
- Slides 1–6: Background on the project, NSF’s Dear Colleague Letter, and why persistent identifiers and machine-readable data managements plans have value
- Slides 7–10: Interview clips from key stakeholders on the value and vision for the scholarly communications ecosystem if PIDs and maDMPs are widely adopted
- Slides 11–15: Key takeaways from the report
- Slides 16–22: Key recommendations and considerations for stakeholders, including researchers, academic and research libraries, research offices, institutional IT, scholarly publishers, tool builders, and professional associations and societies
This slide deck is being released CC-0, so anyone can edit and repurpose without attribution to facilitate conversations and discussions with key stakeholders at campuses or within organizations.
The discussion questions (Google Doc) included in the toolkit will help shape and move the conversation towards an understanding of the value of PIDs and maDMPs and an understanding of surface challenges.
Finally, the reading list (Google Doc) of relevant research articles, blog posts, and best practices can help frame conversations and provide useful background details on persistent identifiers and machine-readable data management plans.
As funding agencies move towards greater adoption of tools and infrastructure to facilitate effective data practices, institutions and organizations will need to support researchers and other community members in this shift. It is our hope that this communication toolkit will assist librarians, tool builders, research officers, researchers, and others in increasing the adoption of these best practices.
Conference Planning Committee
John Chodacki, California Digital Library
Cynthia Hudson-Vitale, Pennsylvania State University
Natalie Meyers, University of Notre Dame
Jennifer Muilenburg, University of Washington
Maria Praetzellis, California Digital Library
Kacy Redd, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities
Judy Ruttenberg, Association of Research Libraries
Katie Steen, Association of American Universities
Additional Report and Conference Contributors
Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Brandeis University
Maria Gould, California Digital Library
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 125 research libraries in Canada and the US whose mission is to advance research, learning, and scholarly communication. The Association fosters the open exchange of ideas and expertise; advances diversity, equity, and inclusion; and pursues advocacy and public policy efforts that reflect the values of the library, scholarly, and higher education communities. ARL forges partnerships and catalyzes the collective efforts of research libraries to enable knowledge creation and to achieve enduring and barrier-free access to information. ARL is on the web at ARL.org.
About CDL
California Digital Library (CDL) is a unit within the department of Academic Affairs at the University of California Office of the President. CDL provides transformative digital library services, grounded in campus partnerships and extended through external collaborations, that amplify the impact of the libraries, scholarship, and resources of the University of California. The University of California Curation Center (UC3) is one of four main programs within the CDL, focusing on digital curation, research data management, persistent identifiers, data publishing, and digital preservation.
About the Association of American Universities
Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities (AAU) is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 65 research universities transform lives through education, research, and innovation.
Our member universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research that improves public health, seeks to address national challenges, and contributes significantly to our economic strength, while educating and training tomorrow’s visionary leaders and innovators.
AAU member universities collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society.
About the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)
APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the US, Canada, and Mexico. With a membership of 246 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations, APLU’s agenda is built on the three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research, and expanding engagement. Annually, member campuses enroll 5.0 million undergraduates and 1.3 million graduate students, award 1.3 million degrees, employ 1.3 million faculty and staff, and conduct $49.3 billion in university-based research.
About the National Science Foundation
The US National Science Foundation (NSF) propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments, and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the US as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2020 budget of $8.3 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities, and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and US participation in international scientific efforts.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1945938. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
