This study takes a stratified random sample of articles published in 2014 from the top 10 journals in the disciplines of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics, as ranked by impact factor. Sampled articles were examined for their reporting of original data or reuse of prior data, and were coded for whether the data was publicly shared or otherwise made available to readers. Other characteristics such as the sharing of software code used for analysis and use of data citation and DOIs for data were examined. The study finds that data sharing practices are still relatively rare in these disciplines’ top journals, but that the disciplines have markedly different practices. Biology top journals share original data at the highest rate, and physics top journals share at the lowest rate. Overall, the study finds that within the top journals, only 13% of articles with original data published in 2014 make the data available to others.
Data visualization has grown in significance and complexity as the quantity of data and the technology supporting it have developed. Understanding and using data visualization is now a core skill that should be incorporated into information literacy goals by librarians and educators. Competency in data visualization is also closely related to data literacy and other quantitative literacies. Undergraduate students and other general learners should be exposed to the fundamentals of data visualization early in their education. This article proposes that evaluation, critique, and use of data visualization be the initial focus of education, and discusses some starting points for training in these three areas.
New business librarians and nonbusiness librarians serving business needs require training and orientation to the unique aspects of business librarianship. Formal training programs can be devised to raise competencies in providing core business information services. Given the pace of change, such programs must emphasize flexible and adaptable approaches to finding information, rather than reliance on specific sources. Trends in the business information environment will likely favor greater use of just-in-time training and knowledge databases.
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