Analyzing Policy Documents: A Desk Study Exploring Research Data
Governance Practices among Leading Research Performing Organizations
Abstract
Research data governance (RDG) plays a vital role in the effective
management of research data within organizations. With the increasing
volume and intricacy of research data, robust data sharing is necessary
to facilitate advancements. However, despite its significance, RDG has
not received the level of attention it deserves in comparison to other
domains of research data management (RDM). Therefore, this desk study
aims to fill the gap by identifying the key RDG activities implemented
by top research performing organizations (RPOs) to provide insights into
the key activities of governance that research organizations prioritize
in their RDM policies. A content analysis of 36 policy documents was
conducted, identifying 55 unique RDG activities. The findings showed
that RPOs are more focused on implementing activities rather than
defining or monitoring them, indicating an increasing awareness of the
importance of RDG. The study identified two key activities that RPOs
prioritize, highlighting a solid commitment to maintaining ethical and
legal standards for RDM. As RDG practices evolve, it is crucial to
identify emerging trends and technologies that impact RDG practices and
explore innovative solutions to address challenges. Therefore, future
research should explore innovative solutions for addressing challenges
and developing more effective RDG practices.
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