This document outlines a case study examining research data management (RDM) from the perspectives of different stakeholders at a university. It describes 10 key stakeholders, including professors from different faculties, IT and library directors, and a records manager. Participants are asked to take on the viewpoint of one stakeholder and consider their goals, influences, views of others, perspectives on RDM, and willingness to commit resources to RDM initiatives. Additional activities explore proposing RDM training for PhDs, forming a joint RDM committee, and comparing the case study institution to others.

1. An institutional case study
May-15
Learning material produced by RDMRose
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/is/research/projects/rdmrose
Research Data Management
Workshop 4.1

2. Session overview
• Examining a case study in order to explore the
viewpoints of different stakeholders
• RDM as a “wicked problem”
• Review and next steps
• Evaluation
May-15
Learning material produced by RDMRose
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/is/research/projects/rdmrose

3. The cast of characters
1. PVC Research, Professor Gold
2. Director of Research, Faculty Medicine and Life Sciences, Professor
Albus
3. DoR, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Professor Gelb
4. DoR, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Professor Argent
5. Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Professor Gris
6. Director of the Computing Service, ComITs, Mr Rosso
7. Library Director, Mrs Brun
8. Director of Research and Knowledge Commercialisation, Dr Zwart
9. Head of Human Resources, Ms Glas
10. Records Unit Manager and University Archivist, Mr Oren
May-15
Learning material produced by RDMRose
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/is/research/projects/rdmrose

4. Activity: Stakeholders’ point of view
• Considering the point of view of one of the
institutional stakeholders, working in pairs research an
answer to the following questions:
– What are the stakeholder’s main goals and interests? How
much power and influence do they have?
– How do they view others on the list?
– Which, if any, arguments for RDM do you think the
stakeholder would consider most compelling?
– Draw or choose a graphical image that represents key
aspects of the stakeholder’s viewpoint on RDM.
– What resources will the stakeholder wish to commit (or
avoid committing) to RDM initiatives?
May-15
Learning material produced by RDMRose
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/is/research/projects/rdmrose

5. Activity: PhD training programme
• It is proposed to update the PhD training
programme to include RDM as a topic.
1. From the point of view of the stakeholder you
have researched, who should take a lead on this
initiative?
2. Which aspects of RDM should be emphasised?
3. Should the initiative be provided on a university-
wide level, or on an individual faculty basis?
May-15
Learning material produced by RDMRose
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/is/research/projects/rdmrose

6. Activity: Joint RDM committee
• The professional services departments form a
joint RDM committee.
1. Who should be on the committee and what
would the terms of reference be?
2. Who should lead the committee?
3. It is proposed to create a web site to provide
guidance for researchers. What should it contain
and who should be responsible for which
section?
May-15
Learning material produced by RDMRose
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/is/research/projects/rdmrose

7. Activity: Differences from Poppleton
• How does the institution you work for differ from
Poppleton?
• Which of these differences might significantly
impact the outcome of the case study?
• How do the issues play out differently if:
1. Poppleton were a post-1992 university (with a
greater stress on teaching than research)
2. The university had a converged computing/library
service
May-15
Learning material produced by RDMRose
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/is/research/projects/rdmrose