Abstract
The NIHR is committed to FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) data practices. In order to support this from March 2023, NIHR applicants and award holders are required to submit and update Data Access Management Plans (DAMPs) as part of contract set up and monitoring. The aim of completing a DAMP is to encourage greater attention to data integrity, management and accessibility: how data is collected, organised, secured and shared for long-term reuse across NIHR and beyond. The aim of this project was to explore the usability and effectiveness of NIHR DAMPs. To do this we undertook an analysis and process evaluation of 968 DAMPs which involved descriptive and qualitative content analysis of sections on the form. Overall completion of form sections was high (79%) providing helpful insights into NIHR funded data; however responses were inconsistent and repetitive (see added abstracts). Overall, DAMPs effectively help researchers plan for and maintain FAIR data practices. The form can be improved by replacing some open questions with standard responses and by providing more guidance on completing specified questions. This work represents the continuous efforts of NIHR to promote open research while reducing bureaucracy and improving researcher support.
Aim
To explore the usability and effectiveness of NIHR DAMPs.
How well are the forms being completed by researchers?
How well do they gauge the FAIRness of data practices?
Intended Impact of the Study
Intended outcomes: A streamlined form that is easier to fill out, meets and better captures the FAIR principles, and increases research re-use within and beyond NIHR.
Value to research: This work represents NIHR’s continuous efforts to promote open research while reducing research bureaucracy and improving researcher support.
Executive Summary available on request
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Study Design(s)
Other Designs: Evaluation