Data is one of the most important resources in modern research. In order to make research results verifiable, reusable and available in the future, more and more importance is attached to quality research data management and open access to data.
To promote the implementation of these principles in the Latvian research environment, a network of data stewards operates, providing researchers with practical and professional support at various stages of the research data life cycle – from data management planning to data preparation and publication in a repository.
What is a data steward?
A data steward is a specialist who helps researchers ensure that research data is of high quality, understandable, documented, securely stored and, if possible, available for reuse.
The work of a data steward covers various aspects of research data management. It may include advice on organizing and documenting data, preparing metadata, data formats, copyright and licensing, protecting sensitive data, as well as choosing a suitable repository and depositing data.
Thus, the data steward is an essential support point for the researcher, helping to navigate issues related not only to the research itself, but also to how to take care of the data obtained in the research in the long term and make it usable for others.
Data stewards network in Latvia
In Latvia, the Data Stewards Network brings together specialists who provide support to researchers in data management issues. Data steward services are available to researchers throughout Latvia – both by contacting their university’s data steward team and by contacting data curators at the Higher Education and Science IT Service Sharing Centre (VPC).
The main support strands of the Data Stewards Network are:
- developing a data management plan – helping to plan how the study data will be collected, processed, stored and shared
- Implementation of FAIR principles – consultations to make data findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable;
- Implementation of good practices in data management – recommendations for organizing, documenting, storing and protecting data;
- Preparation and deposit of data sets in a repository – support for data publication and long-term preservation.
Why are data stewards important?
Research data management is becoming increasingly important as good quality data increases the transparency of research and facilitates the re-use of knowledge. Open access allows data to be used not only in the original research but also in new research and interdisciplinary projects.
Well-managed data also helps to avoid unnecessary duplication of data collection, fosters collaboration between researchers and can speed up the emergence of new scientific insights and innovation. The European Union also links open access to research data with improving the quality of research, promoting reuse and developing innovation.
Contact the data stewards!
Data steward support is available in all Latvian scientific institutions. If you have questions about data management, contact the data steward team at your university! Support in any other scientific institution in Latvia is provided by VPC data stewards.
