Managing data in collaborative research starts with the researcher: A Soil CRC case study

Multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research centers are central to the concept of collaborative science. A challenge to the success of these research centers is their “data sharing readiness” as a foundation of science integrity that underpins policy decisions and directions. To achieve data sharing readiness, understanding researchers’ level of data maturity (their data management practices and understanding) is critical to improvement in data management and resultant research outcomes. A mixed methods approach of survey, focus group, and interviews was undertaken to understand where participants in a soil research collaboration were in their data maturity. The survey included a combination of multiple choice, open, and closed-ended questions linked to a set of overarching data management topics. Voluntary participants include farmer groups, universities, industry partners, and state government agencies from Australia and New Zealand. Key findings were that researchers were largely unfamiliar with core concepts of data management and exhibit a low overall level of data maturity and data readiness. This was echoed by the desire of survey respondents to obtain further training, education, and support in data management. Data readiness and providing researchers with a core set of data management skills will provide a pathway for high quality and enduring research.