The use and value of UK research data centres

Ellen Collins, Research Information Network

JISC MRD International Workshop, Aston Business School, Birmingham, 28 March 2011

Users

Funders

Policy makers

ParticipantsAcronym Full name Discipline Established Annual

budgetSurvey responses

ADS Archaeology Data Service

Archaeology 1997 c.£640k 84

BADC British Atmospheric Data Service

Atmospheric and climate science

1984 (GDF) 1994 (BADC)

c.£1m 760

CDS The Chemical Database Service

Chemistry 1992 c.250k 200

ESDS The Economic and Social Data Service

Economics and social sciences

1967 c.2m 292

NGDC The National Geoscience Data Centre

Earth sciences 1983 c.£350k 52

Overall similar, but areas of difference

Academics are key…

…but not the only users…BADC

Academic Public research organisation Other

ADS

ADS Academic

Private research organisation Private / independent researcher

Central / local government Business

Community / charity organisation Other

…or the only audiences

Policymakers

BADC 28%

ESDS 47%

Own use only

ADS 31%

CDS 26%

Reference…

…or research?

Sharing own data

Crucial to research

Efficiency

Novelty?

The importance of the institution

Wider impact?

Conclusions

• Highly valued

• Centrality is important

• Data sharing must be encouraged

• Usage varies

• National vs local?

• Capacity?

ContactEllen Collins, Research Information Network

ellen.collins@rin.ac.uk

020 7412 7893

www.rin.ac.uk

@ellenscollins