Academic Libraries and Research Data Management Services in Ghana

Beatrice Arthur; Thomas  van der Walt; Yaw Ofori; Baffour Ohene  Agyekum; Kojo Bawa Dukper; Collins Arthur

doi:10.25159/2663-659X/16621

Authors

Beatrice Arthur Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3841-7413
Thomas van der Walt University of South Africa
Yaw Ofori University of Mines and Technology
Baffour Ohene Agyekum Kumasi Technical University
Kojo Bawa Dukper Tamale Technical Unversity https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7099-4771
Collins Arthur Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/16621

Keywords:

Research data management, research data management services, data sharing, data reuse, research collaboration, academic library

Abstract

This study, as part of a larger study, examined the provision and impact of research data management (RDM) services in Ghanaian academic libraries—an underexplored area in developing countries. The study employed a mixed methods research approach. Data were collected from graduate students, lecturers, and librarians across public and private universities. The study found that academic libraries in Ghana’s universities have contributed immensely and diversely to RDM services. These include RDM policy development, data repository development, data storage and reuse, and research data sharing. The study also found that university libraries organise RDM training for both staff and students, covering metadata and data curation, ICT use, funding requirements for data research, thesis writing, research publications, collaborative partnership and research, and data security and storage. The study further established that RDM services have had a positive impact on data reuse and collaborative research among students and lecturers, resulting in improved data quality, access, accuracy, consistency, and reliability. RDM services have also led to increased efficiency of data handling, reduced risk of data loss in databases, and enhanced collaboration among students and lecturers. To sustain and improve RDM services in academic libraries, management of universities must enhance RDM services with an emphasis on improving access and utilisation through effective collaboration between libraries and researchers. To enhance RDM services, it is further recommended that the capacities of library and IT staff should be enhanced to keep pace with evolving trends and technologies, such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in research data management.

Author Biographies

Beatrice Arthur, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Library, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi; Ghana

Senior Assistant Librarian

Yaw Ofori, University of Mines and Technology

Library, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa; Ghana

Senior Assistant Librarian

Baffour Ohene Agyekum, Kumasi Technical University

Library, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi; Ghana

Kojo Bawa Dukper, Tamale Technical Unversity

Library, Tamale Technical Unversity, Tamale; Ghana

Senior Assistant Librarian

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