The Research Data Management Task Force

The Research Data Management Task Force is a cross-campus collaboration that includes:

• Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library
• Information Technology
• Libraries and Academic Innovation
• Office of the Vice Provost for Research

We’re working to understand GW’s current data practices, challenges, and needs. Your response to this survey will help make your voice heard, and inform future decisions around data storage, access, preservation, and policy.

Please use the contact form to get support for your research data management questions.

RDM Focus Groups

The Research Data Management Task Force continues to assess data management practices and needs at the George Washington University. Following recommendations based on analysis of the RDM Survey, the Task Force is moving forward with targeted engagement at the school and discipline level.

The Task Force is recruiting participants for focus group discussions. These discussions will run for approximately one hour and participants will be asked targeted questions about their current data management practices, interest in data curation services, suggestions for institutional support and other pertinent themes. The goals of the focus groups are:

• Answering the question “Does GW need an institutional data repository or a metadata catalog?”
• Listening to researchers’ evaluation of the current research data infrastructure at GW
• Understanding the “why” of data management and sharing from the perspective of the researcher

If you are interested in participating in a focus group, submit a focus group intake form.

RDM Survey Update

The RDM Task Force survey is now closed. Thank you to all the researchers who participated; your input is invaluable as we move into the next phase of this project.

About the Survey

The Task Force recently conducted a brief survey to gauge researcher perceptions and current practices regarding data access, storage, and preservation. The goal was to better understand the diverse needs of our community and identify where researchers feel supported or encounter hurdles.

The insights gathered will help us:

• Understand the current research data landscape across the university.
• Explore ways to better align with FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable).
• Discuss how to better support researchers in an era of evolving compliance requirements.

Next Steps

Based on data from this survey, the RDM Task Force has produced a report titled, Findings and Recommendations on Data Access, Storage, and Preservation. 

Have questions? Review our FAQs or use the contact form on the right side of this page to contact the Task Force.