Introducing researchers to data management: Pedagogy and strategy

MLA Annual Meeting, 2013

Karen HansonKnowledge Systems Librariankaren.hanson@med.nyu.edu

Alisa SurkisTranslational Science Librarianalisa.surkis@med.nyu.edu

Section: Introduction

• What is data?• What is the data lifecycle?• Why save it?

• Background• Class content• Evaluation, feedback• Aftermath & conclusions

The challenge

• Environmental scan• Complex environment• Lots of small isolated services• Lots of gaps• No obvious service point

• Where to start?• How do we gain credibility?

Teaching

• Start building a data management résumé • Learn more about what people need• Demonstrate understanding• Test the water!

Who did what why?

Karen Hanson, Knowledge Systems Librarian•Past life: programmer, database developer, lab assistant•Library life: digital archives, library data dashboard

Alisa Surkis, Translation Science Librarian• Past life: PhD Neuroscience, programmer• Library life: Liaison to Clinical & Translational Science Institute

Data!

You have 90 minutes…

• Part of lab management skills course for postdocs

• What can we accomplish in 90 minutes?• Goals: • Plant seeds of thought• Raise awareness • Give practical pointers for

immediate improvements

Section: Introduction

• What is data?• What is the data lifecycle?• Why save it?

• Background• Class content• Evaluation, feedback• Aftermath & conclusions

Content

• Introduction• Incentives (carrots & sticks)• Standards for description &

documentation• Storage, archiving and sharing• Data management plans

Scare tactics

Horror stories (article retractions)

“There were 60 children in the study. The ages were by accident duplicated between the upper and lower halves of the database. Thus, the ages for the first 30 children in the data set were identical and in the same order with the ages for the second set of 30 children…The files with the original data are not available any more, making it impossible to reconstruct a valid data set for reanalysis.”

- http://www.ctajournal.com/content/2/1/6/abstract

Real world examples

Chilling tales from our own lives

• At least we know where it is…

Look… we do need to teach this!• National survey of postdocs• ~2500 responses from 43 institutions analyzed

Pre-class survey handout

We baked a cake

• Majority of grants are from NIH (not NSF)• Covered “ingredients” of a good plan• Data management plan= carrot cake

Humor (OMG, LOL)

Section: Introduction

• What is data?• What is the data lifecycle?• Why save it?

• Background• Class content• Evaluation, feedback• Aftermath & conclusions

Went big on the dry run

• Attendees (~25)• Postdoc course director• Librarians from other NYU libraries• Representatives from Office of Science and Research• Representatives from CTSA training programs

• Constructive feedback, diverse perspectives

Opened up to whole medical center

Results

• 30 attendees • Cross section of research represented • Basic science• Population health• Clinical

• Feedback• Evaluations (23 completed)• In person questions• Follow up emails

definitely wouldn't

probably wouldn't

probably would

definitely would

0 5 10 15

0

1

8

14

Evaluation

NoYes

0 5 10 15 20

516

Will you use the topics covered in your work?

Would you be interested in future classes that went into more detail?

Evaluation

Other topics you would have liked to be covered?

• Most common response =“More information about NYULMC services” (5)

• Follow up questions, emails – same message

Section: Introduction

• What is data?• What is the data lifecycle?• Why save it?

• Background• Class content• Evaluation, feedback• Aftermath & conclusions

Since the class – taking the plunge!

Direct results:• Collaborating with clinical informatics to create

online learning modules• Developing data management concierge

service

Downstream effects:• Collaborating on Data

Management Core for CTSI

Lessons learned• Researchers need guidance on

local data support

• Class good level for introduction but advanced would be helpful

• Bears good mediums for delivering a message

• Good way to start expanding library’s data management role

LinksMaterial from the class:

Karen Hanson & Alisa Surkis. Introduction to Data Management [presentation + video]. http://nyuhsl.libguides.com/data_management

Other links

Aileen McCrillis, Alisa Surkis, Dorice Vieira, Pauline S. Beam, Tina O'Grady. Survival and Success Beyond Grad School: Improving Library Services to Postdoctoral Researchers. MLA 2012

Glenn Gaudette. Presentation at UMass’ 2012 New England eScience Symposium. (Cardiology example) http://escholarship.umassmed.edu/escience_symposium/2012/program/9/

ImagesUK Data Archive. Data lifecycle image. http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/create-manage/life-cycle

purpleapple428. “Let’s Go Swimming”. http://www.flickr.com/photos/purpleapple428/5452339625/

cimmyt. “Planting seeds of knowledge”. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cimmyt/8208414846/

wilf2.“Gummy smile” 2006. www.flickr.com/photos/wibbles/244268268

outcast104. “Vampire weekend” 2005. www.flickr.com/photos/outcast104/2011632229

afiler. “Piggly Wiggly Flour Bag” 2006. www.flickr.com/photos/afiler/121359709

Mel B. “Oil pour” 2008. http://www.flickr.com/photos/42dreams/2452877486

psrobin. “Baking Powder Still Life” 2010. www.flickr.com/photos/psrobin/5092598788

nedrichards. “Carrot Cake” 2006. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nedrichards/307600027

barretthall. “ears up”. http://www.flickr.com/photos/barretthall/2640229991/

Thank you!

Contacts:karen.hanson@med.nyu.edualisa.surkis@med.nyu.edu