Date of Award

12-1-2024

Thesis Type

phd

Document Type

Thesis (Restricted Access)

Divisions

fac_med

Department

Department of Library and Information Science

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

The rapid growth of research data and its influence on research practices have led to an increased recognition of the importance of research data governance (RDG) worldwide. Nevertheless, a lack of literature explicitly delineates RDG implementation, and practices undertaken by research performing organizations (RPOs). This study sought to fill the existing gap in the literature by exploring the implementation and practices of RDG by RPOs within a post-positivist research paradigm. To achieve this, two methods were employed: a content analysis of RDG/Research Data Management (RDM) policy documents through desk research, and a four-round modified Delphi method, involving systematic solicitation and collection of feedback from a pool of experts comprising research data practitioners. This was accomplished through a series of designed sequential surveys formulated based on the findings of desk research. These surveys used in the Delphi study were tailored to systematically explore RDG activities, focusing on governance tasks, areas of involvement, and decision domains, as well as the roles responsible for governing research data within RPOs in Malaysia. Additionally, it sought to understand the experiences and practices of research data practitioners in Malaysia RPOs in terms of governing research data. The study employs descriptive and inferential statistics, encompassing percentages, interquartile range, mean and median scores, mean differences, t-values, and significance levels obtained from the paired-sample t-tests. The analysis of responses unveiled a significant consensus among the experts on 106 out of 119 RDG task statements across various roles, nineteen (19) areas, and eight (8) decision domains deemed significant to RDG implementation within RPOs. The gap analysis between actual implementation and perceived importance reveals that while certain tasks are considered highly important, they may not be implemented to the same extent, as all mean differences show negative values. Besides the RDG activities, key players, structural positions, and ideal nomenclatures of identified RDG roles were determined. The aim of the study was to develop an RDG framework based on the findings obtained. By providing an RDG framework that can be used as a set of best practices, this study can assist RPO leaders in considering implementing RDG and its efforts in their organizations. SDGs: Quality Education; Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; Partnerships for the Goals

Note

Thesis (PhD) – Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 2024.

Share

COinS