Using participatory design and visual narrative inquiry to investigate researchers’ data challenges and recommendations for library research data services
Program: electronic library and information systems
ISSN: 0033-0337
Article publication date: 1 September 2015
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on an information gathering study on users’ research data-related challenges and proposals for library research data services (RDS). This study probes how early career researchers visually conceptualize the research process in their disciplines, their self-reported research data challenges, and their recommendations for library RDS.
Design/methodology/approach
Two focus group sessions were undertaken with a total of eight early career researchers. Adopting the visual narrative inquiry method, the participants were asked to sketch the general research process in their domain. The individuals’ illustrations of the research process were then used as the basis for reflecting on their data-related needs and potential RDS that would assist them during the research process.
Findings
Participants presented a research process that was more personal and, in most cases, more imperfect than the research lifecycle models that academic libraries are increasingly using for RDS development and communication. The authors present their data-related challenges, which included data access barriers, low knowledge of best practices for research data management, the need for a deeper understanding of post-publication impact, and inconsistent awareness of existing library and institution RDS. The authors outline RDS recommendations that participants proposed, which included a web-based tools, customized training sessions, and “distilled” guides to research data best practices.
Practical implications
The study flagged users’ gaps in understandings of existing library and institutional RDS, suggesting that there may be an opportunity to engage users in the design of communications plans for services. The findings from this user study will inform the development of RDS at the institution.
Originality/value
This paper puts forth a methodological approach that academic libraries can adapt for understanding users’ needs and user-generated design solutions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the early career researchers who shared their time, experiences, and design recommendations with the authors. They provided valuable feedback on the methodology that allowed the authors to improve the protocol for future sessions. The authors thank the School of Information Sciences and the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh for providing support to this project.
Citation
Mattern, E., Jeng, W., He, D., Lyon, L. and Brenner, A. (2015), "Using participatory design and visual narrative inquiry to investigate researchers’ data challenges and recommendations for library research data services", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 49 No. 4, pp. 408-423. https://doi.org/10.1108/PROG-01-2015-0012
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited