During the summer, researchers working at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) had the opportunity to enhance their methodological knowledge by participating in a workshop devoted to research data management and open science.
Research starts with asking questions. But what if those questions unintendingly repeat existing biases? How can a researcher involve non-scientists in a research project and broadly share the outcome of a research project to others? At ISS, researchers are encouraged to critically assess the research methodologies they deploy. The recently held data management workshop promoted various methodological tools. In this article, we explain some of the main concepts touched upon during the workshop.
About the workshop
The four-part workshop ‘Data Management Before Summer Series’ highlighted the crucial benefits of efficient and inclusive research data management to researchers at ISS. Data Steward Bora Lushaj discussed current insights and tools to assist our researchers in managing data from the beginning of the research cycle. The four sessions of the workshop were hosted by ISS researchers and data management experts, Lucine Pogoisan and Marlon Domingus from Erasmus University Rotterdam and the University of Windsor.
Workshop host Berenica Vejvoda, an academic data librarian of the University of Warwick, held a workshop to focus on applying a critical lens to research data management. The workshop operated from the premise that research 'by design' is intentional. As a best practice, data management across all research data life cycle stages should centralize inclusion strategies.
Key concepts: research data management, open science & traditionally marginalized groups
- Research data management is part of the everyday practices of organizing, storing, preserving, protecting, and sharing data collected and used in a research project's lifecycle.
Open science refers to the movement to make scientific research and its dissemination more accessible to scientific and non-scientific audiences. An important principle of open science is transparency. It is crucial in sharing references, tools, methods, and outputs. Furthermore, knowledge has no barriers for open science. Open science principles are widely adopted by academic journals and digital libraries. - Traditionally marginalized groups are, for example, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, differently-abled people, immigrants, and the elderly. They are often underrepresented in research. It is important to consider how this effects biases and the research design process.
Inclusivity throughout the research lifecycle
Biases within research can happen when a researcher's ideas or beliefs influence the process towards a specific research outcome.
There are many ways that biases can inform the research cycle. This can happen, for example, when researchers choose participants. This is called the selection bias.
Moreover, the types of questions researchers ask can shape outcomes. Furthermore, the way researchers analyze data can lead to biases. This is referred to as the analysis bias. All these various biases can lead to flawed research results.
Watch the final session
