Research Data Handling by Researchers in the Selected Universities in Tanzania

Abstract

This study investigated the practice of research data handling in the selected higher learning institutions in Tanzania, with specific reference to the University of Dar es Salaam and University of Dodoma. The study assessed research data formats that are currently produced, where the research data are currently stored and whether researchers in the selected institutions use data management plan in their research activities. A study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Questionnaire was used to extract data from researchers while interview was used to obtain data from key informants who were categorized as potential managers responsible for research data management from the respective institutions. Results show that researchers have been producing various kinds of research data in various formats both digital and analogy data. Moreover, researchers handled these data using various approaches. This means that there were no systematic and well-guided methods of handling their research data making the data prone to get lost. Only a small number of researchers appeared to have a large amount of research data. Furthermore, only a few number of researchers indicated to have used research data management plan (RDM) in their research activities. This study recommends more collaboration among researchers, directorate of research and publication, ICT and library management to improve the research data handling in the universities.

Knowledge and practices of open science among scholars and researchers in Tanzania

“…This study aimed at understanding the level of knowledge and practice of OS among scholars and researchers in Tanzania. This is the first study of its kind as opposed to earlier studies that only focused on OA, institutional repositories and OD (Mgonzo & Yonah 2014;Samzugi 2017;Nunda & Elia 2019;Buhomoli & Muneja 2020Kayungi et al 2021;Mwalubanda 2021;Mbughuni et al 2022). The results of this study are discussed below.…”

“…The respondents were mostly academics, postgraduate students and researchers affiliated to public academic institutions, our target groups. A study by Buhomoli & Muneja (2020) investigating awareness of OD among researchers in public universities in Tanzania observed similar demographics where the majority were males in early career stages. However, the majority of the respondents in that study were 36 -45 years old, a different age group that observed here due to their work being more focused on academic staff, leaving other key participants like postgraduate students and other ECRs.…”

“…These will enable scientists to meet and share their works and equip participants with hands-on skills on applying OS principles. Similarly, in their publication on awareness of OD among researchers in Tanzania, Buhomoli & Muneja (2020) recommended commemorating the World Open Data Day and Open Access week as a means to spread OS awareness.…”

Ethical integrity in doctoral research: A focus on classroom remediation

“…The researcher must ensure that any data gathered throughout the research process is securely stored, disposed of, or placed both during and after the study is concluded [15]. The researcher is obligated to formulate guidelines for managing electronic devices and other materials, including but not restricted to laptops, video cassettes, diskettes, CDs, DVDs, and memory cards [15]. Also, printed files, lab notes, and journals are examples of non-electronic resources employed in the research process.…”

Open Science and Policy Interface: The Tanzania Perspective

“…In Tanzania, the interface between open science and policy is harmoniously not intertwined due to the fact that OS is still at the infancy stage, this is supported by different studies such as (Buhomoli and Muneja, 2020;. This is a new term not only for citizens but also for the scientific community.…”