Gregory, K., MSLIS, MA

Data Retrieval Practice: Seeking and Evaluating Research Data

Data Archiving and Networked Services,  KNAW, kathleen.gregory@dans.knaw.nl

Supervisor: Prof. Sally Wyatt and Dr. Andrea Scharnhorst

Background

Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience
Regis University, Denver, Colorado

Masters of Arts, Education
University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado

Master of Science, Library and Information Science
Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I have been professionally active in the education and academic library sectors for more than ten years. During that time, my work has focused on research data management, scientific information literacy, and bibliometrics.

Summary

Open research data has the potential to be a powerful transformative force in science, technology, and the development of new knowledge. In order for data to be able to fulfil its potential, users must first be able to find and efficiently evaluate the data that they need. This is not a simple task. Data are dispersed or are sometimes not findable at all. Evaluation is a time-consuming process of building the necessary context, often from various sources, that enables data reuse.

This PhD project is part of a collaborative NWO-funded effort to create a search engine devoted to research data. By developing an accessible, easy-to-use tool that meets the needs of different data cultures, we aim to stimulate the discovery and reuse of research data. I will address the problem from an STS perspective, and attempt to characterize the user behaviours that are present in data retrieval. I am also interested in learning more about how these behaviours are developed and taught within communities of practice. I plan on using a mixed methods approach, involving interviews, bibliometric analyses, and case studies to build the picture of data retrieval.

My findings will be integrated with two other streams of research. Researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam will investigate the semantic enrichment of data necessary to increase discoverability. A team at the University of Amsterdam will develop ranking algorithms to order the results found using the data search engine. Combining these three perspectives will provide a detailed description of the data retrieval process and will result in a concrete solution that addresses the needs of a variety of users.

Publications

Leiß, C. & Gregory, K. (2016). Visibility and Impact of Research: Bibliometric Services for University Management and Researchers. Proceedings of the IATUL Conferences. Paper 3. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2016/plenary/3

Gregory, K. (2013). Laboratory logistics: Strategies for integrating information literacy instruction into science laboratory classes. Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship, 74. DOI:10.5062/F49G5JSJ

Gregory, K. (2013). There is no escape: What Google can teach instruction librarians. Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship, 72. DOI:10.5062/F45B00C1

Peer-Reviewed Poster Presentations
Gregory, K. (2014, June). Entering the fray: Strategies for beginning research data management services. Presented at ALA Annual Conference, ACRL Science and Technology Section Poster Session, Las Vegas, NV. Available at: https://bit.ly/2arB0MU

Selected Conference Presentations
Gregory, K. (2016, October). Close Collaborations: Developing Bibliometric Services for University Management and Academic Staff. Presented at IATUL Seminar: Linking Up, Cooperation Strategies in Academic Libraries, Bolzano, Italy.

Gregory, K., Bowers, J. (2014, July). Data management support: First steps in implementing research data services. Presented at Alliance Research Data Management Conference, Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries, Denver, CO.

Gregory, K. (2014, June). Meeting requirements for alternatives searches: Information for IACUCs and investigators. Presented at National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Online Seminar Series. Available at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/educational_resources.htm