Purpose

The purpose of this study was to understand the research data management practices of chemistry researchers in the five specialized federal universities of technology in Nigeria. Appropriate research data management practice ensures that research data are available for reuse by secondary users, and research findings can be verified and replicated within the scientific community. A poor research data management practice can lead to irrecoverable data loss, unavailability of data to support research findings and lack of trust in the research process.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory research technique involving semi-structured, oral and face-to-face interview is used to gather data on research data management practices of chemistry researchers in Nigeria. Interview questions were divided into four major sections covering chemistry researchers’ understanding of research data, experience with data loss, data storage method and backup techniques, data protection, data preservation and availability of data management plan. Braun and Clarke thematic analysis approach was adapted, and the Provalis Qualitative Data Miner (version 5) software was used for generating themes and subthemes from the coding framework and for presenting the findings.

Findings

Findings revealed that chemistry researchers in Nigeria have a good understanding of the concept of research data and its importance to research findings. Chemistry researchers have had several experiences of irrecoverable loss of data because of poor choice of storage devices, back-up methods and weak data protection systems. Even though the library was agreed as the most preferred place for long-term data preservation, there is the issue of trust and fear of loss of ownership of data to unauthorized persons or party. No formal data management plan is used while conducting their scientific research.

Research limitations/implications

The research focused on research data management practices of chemistry researchers in the five specialized federal universities of technology in Nigeria. Although the findings of the study are similar to perceptions and practices of researchers around the world, it cannot be used as a basis for generalization across other scientific disciplines.

Practical implications

This study concluded that chemistry researchers need further orientation and continuous education on the importance and benefits of appropriate research data management practice. The library should also roll out research data management programs to guide researchers and improve their confidence throughout the research process.

Social implications

Appropriate research data management practice not only ensures that the underlying research data are true and available for reuse and re-validation, but it also encourages data sharing among researchers. Data sharing will help to ensure better collaboration among researchers and increased visibility of the datasets and data owners through the use of standard data citations and acknowledgements.

Originality/value

This is a qualitative and in-depth study of research data management practices and perceptions among researchers in a particular scientific field of study.

中文翻译：

---

尼日利亚联邦理工大学化学研究人员的研究数据管理实践

目的

本研究的目的是了解尼日利亚五所专业联邦技术大学化学研究人员的研究数据管理实践。适当的研究数据管理实践确保研究数据可供次要用户重复使用，并且研究结果可以在科学界内得到验证和复制。糟糕的研究数据管理实践会导致无法恢复的数据丢失、无法支持研究结果的数据以及对研究过程缺乏信任。

设计/方法/方法

一种涉及半结构化、口头和面对面访谈的探索性研究技术用于收集尼日利亚化学研究人员研究数据管理实践的数据。面试问题分为四个主要部分，涵盖化学研究人员对研究数据的理解、数据丢失的经验、数据存储方法和备份技术、数据保护、数据保存和数据管理计划的可用性。Braun 和 Clarke 的主题分析方法得到调整，Provalis Qualitative Data Miner（第 5 版）软件用于从编码框架生成主题和子主题并呈现结果。

发现

调查结果显示，尼日利亚的化学研究人员对研究数据的概念及其对研究结果的重要性有很好的理解。由于存储设备选择不当、备份方法和数据保护系统薄弱，化学研究人员有过几次无法恢复的数据丢失的经历。尽管图书馆被认为是长期保存数据的最佳场所，但仍存在信任问题，并担心数据所有权会被未经授权的人或一方所掌握。在进行科学研究时，没有使用正式的数据管理计划。

研究限制/影响

该研究的重点是尼日利亚五所专业联邦技术大学化学研究人员的研究数据管理实践。尽管该研究的结果与世界各地研究人员的看法和实践相似，但它不能用作其他科学学科的概括基础。

实际影响

该研究得出的结论是，化学研究人员需要对适当的研究数据管理实践的重要性和好处进行进一步的定位和继续教育。图书馆还应推出研究数据管理计划，以指导研究人员并提高他们在整个研究过程中的信心。

社会影响

适当的研究数据管理实践不仅可以确保基础研究数据是真实的并可用于重复使用和重新验证，而且还鼓励研究人员之间的数据共享。数据共享将有助于确保研究人员之间更好的合作，并通过使用标准数据引用和致谢提高数据集和数据所有者的可见性。

原创性/价值

这是对特定科学研究领域研究人员的研究数据管理实践和看法的定性和深入研究。