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Information Development
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Research data management services © The Author(s) 2024
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DOI: 10.1177/02666669231222460
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Clement Ola Adekoya

Akinbo Adesomoju Library, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Nigeria

Isioma Rita Guobiazor

College Library, Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Nigeria

Isaac Oluwadare Busayo

University Library, Federal University Oye Ekiti

Adesola Victoria Alade

Akinbo Adesomoju Library, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Nigeria

Abstract
The contemporary advancements in network technologies and scholarly communication which provide oppor-
tunities to academic libraries to look for novel means of engaging with researcher communities has necessi-
tated librarians to retort with service innovations in data science and research data management (RDM).
The aim of this study is to investigate Research data management services among librarians in Nigerian univer-
sities. A questionnaire was used to collect data on RDM services among librarians in Nigerian universities for
this study. The participants were the librarians in the public universities in South-west, Nigeria. The study
found that the roles of librarians in RDM services in Nigerian universities are to encourage research facilitation
and promote scientific communication. The extent of involvement of librarians in RDM in Nigeria is low. The
study also found that although librarians in Nigerian universities derive many benefits from RDM services, they
encounter challenges such as a lack of data management plan and limited grants from research funding agencies
in contributing to RDM. It was therefore recommended that universities in Nigeria should create RDM centers
in the libraries to prevent data loss and for easy accessibility of research data by researchers

Keywords
data management, research data, research data management, research data management services, librarians,
Nigerian universities

Submitted: 3 May 2023; accepted: 7 December 2023

Introduction management (RDM) (Zotoo and Liu, 2019). RDM is

an issue of great concern to higher education institu-
Research data that emanate from research that are
tions all over the globe in the current era. RDM
financed with public funds are progressively acknowl-
entails the open sharing of research data. Some
edged as a public good that can be accessed, verified,
research organizations (National Institutes of Health,
and reused by researchers without any restraint. The
National Science Foundation, etc.) and research
advancement in big data and cloud computing tech-
funding agencies (Gates, Ford, the Sloan Foundation,
nologies has led to remarkable paradigm shift in the
way research data is managed in the contemporary
era (Deb and Fuad, 2021). This novel paradigm has
Corresponding author:
accentuated data inventory preservation, standardiza- Clement Ola Adekoya, Akinbo Adesomoju Library, Olusegun
tion of data organization, seamless data sharing, intel- Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Nigeria.
lectual property protections as well as research data Email: [email protected]
2 Information Development 0(0)

etc.) are providing open data and data sharing policies Objectives of the study
subject to some requirements (Zhou, 2018).
The objectives of the study are to:
RDM services have been launched in some univer-
sities in the United States, United Kingdom, China, 1. explore the role of librarians in RDM services
and Australia to meet the conditions of data opening in Nigerian universities;
(Owan and Bassey, 2019). This is due to the acknowl- 2. investigate the extent of involvement of librar-
edgement of the imperativeness of data in empirical ians in RDM services in Nigerian universities;
research. Japan has commenced the development of 3. ascertain the benefits libraries in Nigerian uni-
computing structures to preserve research data versities derive from RDM services; and
(Komiyama and Yamaji, 2017; Rice, 2019). Also, 4. find out the challenges librarians in Nigerian
librarians in university libraries in Scotland are organ- universities encounter in carrying out RDM
izing training for their scholars in data management services.
plans with a view to making sure that sensitive data
is preserved securely (Rice, 2019).
In Nigeria, data management is the top priority of The concept of RDM
Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) (National In the contemporary era of technology and scientific
Bureau of Statistics, 2016; NITDA, 2022). The funda- innovation, research data are becoming valuable
mental mandate of NDPB is to support the develop- resources which universities and research institutes
ment of legislation for data protection and privacy in have to effectively manage to aid further research
Nigeria. NITDA acknowledges data management as a (Li and Yu, 2020). Research data refers to the record
key feature of the economic and social system. Also, of research findings that researchers can build on to
the Federal Government of Nigeria introduced a come up with new knowledge. Research data can be
number of policy initiatives on data management data generated from the laboratory or survey.
which have been developed into strategies and action Research data are research information that have
plan (Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020-2025). been scientifically experimented and generalized for
The evolvement of novel open research practice is the purposes of decision making and knowledge cre-
influencing scholars in Nigeria to make significant ation (Ekeh et al., 2023). It can also be processed
reuse of open data (Abdullahi and Noorhidawati, data that have been prepared, polished, organized,
2021). Facilitation of the use of research data for and arranged in a way that can be easily used by
scholarship, and promotion of the open sharing of researchers (Yoon and Schultz, 2017). Researchers
data by the scientific community are very crucial to gather, observe, or generate research data for analysis
librarians in Nigerian universities (Abduldayan et al., to come up with inventive and/or creative studies.
2021). As scientific research is becoming increasingly Data that have already been published in research
more collaborative, data-intensive, and computational, communication outlets are also research data.
so also is the requirement for librarians to play a signifi- Research data are expected to be effectively
cant role in RDM to aid research and knowledge produc- managed because of their importance in supporting
tion among academics and researchers. However, the groundbreaking panaceas to economic and social
concept of RDM is novel to most librarians, researchers, challenges (Ng’eno and Mutala, 2018).
and universities in Nigeria (Nwabugwu and Godwin, Data management refers to a sequence of processes
2020; Ekeh, 2023). Making research data easy to find for managing data collected or created to make
and reuse in the future requires making the task about informed decisions based on insights got from the
the RDM a duty of information professionals, notably data (Drus and Hassan, 2017). Data management
librarians. Meanwhile, the role of librarians in Nigerian entails defining the cycle through which data can be
universities in RDM services and the challenges efficiently used to produce anticipated outcomes and
thereof remain blurred. It becomes imperative, therefore, to solve identified problems for which the data were
to investigate the role of librarians in RDM services in gathered (Odigwe et al., 2020). Data management
Nigerian universities. Due to the vast geographical lati- aims at assisting people, organizations, and intelligent
tude of Nigeria and the difficulty in reaching out to systems in improving the usage of data within the
most of the librarians in their respective universities, limits of policies and legislation to make decisions
the attention of this study is concentrated on librarians and take steps to enhance an organization’s profitabil-
in university libraries in South-west Nigeria. ity (Al-Sai and Abdullah, 2019).
Adekoya et al: Research data management services among librarians in Nigerian universities 3

RDM means a series of processes like technical pro- distribution, storage, and preservation of vital outcomes.
cesses, ethical considerations, legal issues, and govern- One of the objectives of RDM is to make sure that the
ance contexts entailed in data management activities results of the research are reliably verifiable and that
(Pinfield et al., 2014). The governance of research data the foundation of novel and inventive research is laid
through the whole research lifecycle is called as RDM on current information.
(Andrikopoulou et al., 2022). Cox and Pinfield (2014) RDM has a life cycle that starts with data creation
defined RDM as all kinds of events and procedures in and ends with data reuse. Research data life cycle is
the research life cycle which include constructing, gener- a clear depiction of the various events that take
ating, storing, securing, preserving, sharing, and reusing place in the life of data. These entail creation, process-
data. Zhou (2018) claimed that RDM entails the collec- ing, analysis, preservation, access provision, and
tion, sorting, excavation, classification, and storing of reuse. Nwabugwu and Godwin (2020) acknowledge
research data, and making processed high-value data RDM as a part of the research process by saying
available to scholars to provide personalized information that RDM entails organizing data, from its entry to
through the whole data life cycle. RDM offers services the research cycle by disseminating and archiving
that include data storage, search, and user right manage- valuable outcomes. Dora and Kumar (2015) identified
ment that entails features like data linkage with metadata, the creation, storage, security, preservation, retrieval,
consistent identifiers, data version control as well as sharing, and re-use of data as the activities entailed
access authorization (Curdt and Offmeister, 2015). in RDM. Figure 1 shows the life cycle of RDM.
RDM entails getting, authenticating, storing, safe-
guarding, and processing the needed data to guarantee
the ease of access, trustworthiness, and appropriateness
Policy initiatives of Nigerian government
of the data for its users (Nwabugwu and Godwin, on data management
2020). RDM deals with the way data is organized Nigerian government introduced a number of policy
from the entry into the research cycle through to the initiatives on data management. These initiatives

Figure 1. Research data life cycle (by the authors).

4 Information Development 0(0)

have been developed into strategies and action Ng’eno and Mutula (2018) argued that unlike
plans. Among these is National Strategy for the developed countries, most of the African universities
Development of Statistics (NSDS) in Nigeria 2017– are lagging behind in RDM. It was also emphasized
2021. National Statistical System (NSS) was intro- in a study by Ng’eno (2018) that there is general
duced by Nigerian government to make sure that lack of legal, policy and regulatory framework in agri-
data producers keep records and offer correct data cultural research sectors in Kenya and this cause poor
and information when demanded and data users management of research data sets within the agricul-
who, as the clients of the data production system, tural institutes. Van Deventer and Piennar (2015)
request and utilize statistical products and services posited that RDM programmes have been initiated
(National Bureau of Statistics, 2016). Part of the in some research institutes and academic libraries in
plan of NSS is enhancement of data development South Africa.
and data auditing, clearing backlogs of unrefined In Nigeria, there has been apprehension on the level
and unpublished data, data analysis and reporting, of RDM and the difficulties it poses to scholars that need
and data dissemination and access research data. The culture of RDM is lacking in educa-
Some of the agencies and committees that manage tional environment in Nigeria (Ekeh et al., 2023). This
data for national planning in Nigeria include National leads to low level of research quality and research
Bureau of Statistics (NBS), National Information output, and inadequate empirical research data to aid
Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria the conduct of new research (Odigwe et al., 2020).
Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), National Population More so, the results of erroneous RDM practices are
Commission (NPC), National Identity Management usually misleading and this makes the research output
Commission (NIMC), Data Governance Committee undependable (Owan and Bassey, 2019). Any study
(DGC), Data Steering Committee (DSC), National that uses the research data of such research or builds
Malaria Elimination Programme, among others. on its findings may likely produce unreliable and mis-
NITDA developed an all-inclusive and ecosystem- leading results. A study by Abduldayan et al. (2021)
driven Nigerian National Data Strategy to support the found that chemistry scholars in Nigeria have repeatedly
National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a experienced irretrievable loss of data due to poor choice
digital Nigeria (NITDA, 2022). However, libraries are of storage devices, back-up techniques as well as fragile
in better position to keep and manage research data data protection systems. Despite the general agreement
that the library is the majorly desired place for preserv-
ing data, loss of data ownership to unlawful individuals
RDM in African universities causes apprehension, fear and cynicism among
Across the globe, universities are the hub of scientific researchers in Nigeria. This is because there are no
research. Since novel research builds on existing formal data management plans to follow in conducting
research, researchers in universities have to employ scientific research (Abduldayan et al., 2021).
relevant data in existing research as foundation for
their own research. As such, universities have to
ensure effective management of their research data Involvement of librarians in RDM services
for posterity. Chawinga and Zinn (2020) investigated RDM is a novel concept in librarianship in Nigeria. As
RDM at a public university in Malawi and found that such, the level of involvement of librarians in Nigerian
the researchers are enthusiastically engrossed in universities in RDM is an issue of immense concern.
research activities and in this manner generate huge Meanwhile there have not been adequate literature
volumes of research data. The study found further on RDM among librarians in Nigeria. However,
that even though the researchers are interested in there is a need for librarians in Nigerian universities
sharing their research data, only few of them are to embrace RDM to give more attention to data, and
able to do so. This is because data preservation is for organization and regular management of data.
poor due to the fact that the university employs high Zhou (2018) emphasized the need for librarians in aca-
risk data storage facilities such as personal computers, demic environments to get involved in RDM services,
flash disks, emails and external hard drives. More so, and enhance RDM awareness. Librarians have to
the researchers and librarians do not possess the employ RDM services for research data value evalu-
required RDM skills due to lack of formal and infor- ation to eliminate a high quantity of low-impact
mation training prospects. research. The involvement of librarians in RDM
Adekoya et al: Research data management services among librarians in Nigerian universities 5

services may be of great value in the development of It must be noted that all the empirical studies cited
library workforce data confidence, provision of data were not conducted in Africa. However, facilitation
advice to researchers, creation of data awareness, and verification of research, promotion of scientific
teaching data literacy to students, bringing data into communication and understanding, and facilitation
student research-based learning, development of of long-term data storage are all required in African
local data curation capacity, identification of data universities. This may require the involvement of
skills needed by students and researchers, and contrib- librarians as open sharing of data is encouraged by
uting to local data and national data policies (Ashiq the scientific community (Ekeh et al., 2023; Owan
et al., 2022; Schmidt and Shearer, 2016; Chiware and Bassey (2019). Academic libraries can conse-
and Mathe, 2015). quently serve as the main centers for the development
Sheik et al. (2023) reviewed the evolution of of data management services (Nwabugwu and
research data management in academic libraries with Godwin, 2020). More so, new knowledge builds on
regard to the challenges faced by libraries and librar- existing knowledge. This may require librarians to
ians in providing RDM services. The study found provide researchers with the existing data in their
that the concept of RDM has appeared as a novel add- various research areas which can be in the form of
ition to library research support services. The more audio, audiovisual, manuscript, photos, numbers/
recent literature clearly established the pivotal role figures, etc.
of libraries and librarians in developing and managing
RDM services. Tenopir et al. (2012) investigated the
involvement of librarians in RDM services, using RDM: benefits and challenges
the librarians of the Association of Research Enhancement of scientific research is primary to
Libraries (ARL) as the study population. It was librarians. Scientific research has a lot to benefit
found that only a few librarians were involved in from RDM. These include facilitation and certification
RDM services, even though they understood that of research, promotion of scientific communication,
libraries needed to provide such services. In an inves- and facilitation of long-term data storage (Ekeh
tigation of the views of some US and Canadian library et al., 2023). Even, long-term preservation enables
directors towards RDM service, Tenopir et al. (2014) future validation checks of the data thereby enhancing
found that the directors seldom used RDM services in data integrity and transparency (Owan and Bassey
their libraries. However, few academic and research 2019). RDM increases data discoverability and
libraries were already rendering RDM services by reduces the replication effort in gathering datasets.
assisting with data management plans as well as Changing the scientific data paradigm as well as the
organizing and conserving research data. stable advancement of the open access movement
RDM services are the responsibility of librarians. leads to the expansion of RDM. Since RDM services
Librarians offer noteworthy contributions to the are an organized and continuing scheme with several
diverse initiatives in the RDM in academic libraries dynamics, librarians have, therefore, immensely bene-
(Cox et al., 2016). The involvement of librarians in fited from the development of data management ser-
the delivery of RDM is a panacea for the strengthening vices. That is why RDM is seen as a
of the association between the library and researchers “ground-breaking” area for research libraries. It is
that has deteriorated in recent times (Andrikopoulou one of the top future trends for academic libraries
et al., 2022) owing, partly, to the move away from (Ashiq et al., 2022). With this, librarians have the pro-
the library as a physical space (Delaney and Bates, spect of adding value to research data through new
2015). In a study by Tenopir et al. (2015), 84% of roles as data curators, offering series of RDM services,
the 128 directors investigated submitted that librarians which include revising data management plans, pre-
should be in charge of all forms of scholarships that serving datasets for the long-term in institutional
comprise research data. In an examination of the repositories, and tracing the re-use of datasets with
involvement of academic libraries in RDM, Cox and persistent identifiers through citation and download
Pinfield (2013) interviewed some library staff in metrics (IFLA Big Data Special Interest Group,
selected institutions in the United Kingdom. It was 2018). RDM services also help increase institutional
found that even though libraries played vital roles in visibility and research impact (Tenopir et al., 2012).
RDM, stakeholders in the different institutions never Dora and Kumar (2015) claimed that the research-
gave it the needed support. ers conducting research can reuse the research data
6 Information Development 0(0)

collected at a huge cost. Through this, they increase noted that some librarians do not have the required
the frontier of knowledge in chosen areas of knowl- research skills due to their low level of involvement
edge. The research data can be made open to the in research activities. A study by Ashiq et al. (2022)
public for use by other researchers who are research- found that librarians lack the required skills to bear
ing related topics (Nwabugwu and Godwin, 2020). the responsibilities of RDM, though the condition is
This will aid the visibility of the researchers and the better in advanced countries than in developing coun-
institutions they represent. Also, preserving data for tries. According to Tenopir et al. (2014), the effort of
a long time gives room for future validation checks librarians to provide RDM services is usually inhib-
of the data. This will enhance the reliability and open- ited by knowledge and skills gaps among librarians.
ness of the research data. By this, it will be easy to Tenopir et al. claimed further that librarians are to
verify the research findings thereby giving the support researchers in locating research materials,
research national and international integrity. RDM not to conduct research and as such may not even
improves data quality and accessibility due to the understand the role they are expected to play in
proper organization of data (Gunjal and Gaitanou, RDM. Meanwhile, contemporary librarians are
2017). Through this, there is easy access to data deeply involved in active research and are contribut-
when needed. They claimed further that RDM ing significantly to the frontier of knowledge in their
enhances research collaboration and increases the visi- areas of research interest (Yoon and Schultz, 2017;
bility of research through citation. There will also be Nwabugwu and Godwin, 2020). Meanwhile, the chan-
transparency in ownership rights and reuse of data ging research ethos poses a great challenge to librar-
which include patent and intellectual property rights. ians and lecturers in the faculty (Curdt and
Librarians face a lot of challenges in rendering Hoffmeister, 2015). This situation can be mitigated
RDM services due to the necessity to collaborate through active research collaboration between librar-
with several stakeholders. Meanwhile, librarians ians and other stakeholders in RDM.
perform several functions in the library which Kennan and Markauskaite (2015) observed that
consume much of their time. Librarians relate to the technology obsolescence, absence of RDM practice
works of all researchers in the university, have respon- plans, insufficient financial and human resources,
siveness to the needs of researchers, appreciate their and shortage of ICT infrastructure hamper the effect-
desire for data, and develop indebtedness to the iveness of RDM in some libraries. Nwabugwu and
research process, but with little or no knowledge of Godwin (2020) noted that the diversity of research
disciplinary and sub-disciplinary differences. The data is not comprehensively understood by librarians.
diversity of research data may not be comprehensively More importantly, librarians face the challenge of how
understood by librarians (Nwabugwu and Godwin, to preserve the enormous data sets for posterity and
2020). As such, they may not know the data that are how to disseminate the bulky data sets to the scholarly
keenly vital to particular researchers. More so, most community. However, the contemporary develop-
of the libraries and universities librarians serve do ments in ICTs, the proliferation of diverse sources of
not have the resources, infrastructure, and manage- the high volume of electronic data as well as multifari-
ment structures that are necessary for RDM. ous software for analyzing data enable researchers to
Effective management of research data requires generate large quantities of data sets needed in the
having RDM plans and policies. Odigwe and Owan process of carrying out research. Chiware and Mathe
(2022) claimed that majority of the less developed (2015) noted that inadequate resources, infrastructure,
nations have not developed policies for management and limited data management skills among library
of national and institutional research data. Also, a staff are the principal challenges of RDM in South
study by Abduldayan et al. (2021) found that even Africa. Ashiq et al. (2022) did a systematic literature
though some of the chemistry researchers in review on RDM practices and services and found
Nigerian universities have a good knowledge of that RDM is ill-practiced by researchers and academic
research data and its significance to research findings, libraries in developing countries.
lack of plan by universities on RDM inhibits their
research efforts.
In the past, there was a belief that the experience Methodology
and skills of librarians in research were limited The study adopted a descriptive survey research
(Gunjal and Gaitanou, 2017). For example, Lewis design which involved gathering data on current
Adekoya et al: Research data management services among librarians in Nigerian universities 7

circumstances to describe and interpret the findings. response rate for in social science and education is
Mathiyazhagan and Nandan (2010) affirmed that 60% (Nworgu, 2015).
survey research technique is appropriate for collecting
data from a representative sample of individuals from
a known population. The population of the study was Results
the entire 235 librarians in the 20 public universities in Demographic information of the respondents
South-west, Nigeria. The entire population was used Table 2 reveals that the responses regarding the ranks of
as the sample size. Lawrence (2019) advised that the the respondents indicated that majority of the respon-
entire population should be used if the population dents are librarian I (42, 26.9%). This is followed by
can be managed. The study adopted a close-ended principal librarians (39, 25%). The least is university
questionnaire for data collection. The researchers librarian (1, 0.6%). The results of the academic qualifi-
built the questionnaire with the use of the existing lit- cations of the respondents revealed that majority of the
erature. The questionnaire had 5 parts; Part 1: demo- respondents are Master degree holders 129(82.7%)
graphic data of the respondents; Part 2: role of while 27(17.3%) are PhD holders. The result of the
librarians in RDM services in Nigerian universities; gender distribution of the respondents revealed that
Part 3: extent of involvement of librarians in RDM 83(53.2%) are female while 73(46.8%) are male. This
services in Nigerian universities; Part 4: benefits implies that there are more female respondents than
libraries in Nigerian universities derive from RDM; male respondents.
and Part 5: challenges librarians in Nigerian univer- Role of librarians in RDM services
sities encounter in carrying out RDM services. As shown in Table 3, the role of librarians in RDM
Frequency and percentage were used for Part services in Nigerian universities are to encourage
1. Agree and disagree were used for Parts 2, 4 and research facilitation 133(85.3%), ensure effective
5. A 5-point Likert-type scale of Very High Extent, research verification 129(82.7%), promote scientific
High Extent, Moderate Extent, Low Extent, and communication and understanding 128(82.1%), and
Very Low Extent was used for Parts 3. facilitate long-term data storage 124(79.5%).
The questionnaire was validated by one profes-
sional librarian at Afe Babalola University, Ado-
Ekiti, and a senior lecturer of measurement and Table 1. Questionnaire response rate.
evaluation at the University of Benin, Benin City. Number of Number of Percentage of
To ensure that the questions perform as anticipated Questionnaire Questionnaire Questionnaire
and are comprehended by the intended respondents, Administered Retrieved Returned
the questionnaire was pre-tested. A reliability test
235 156 66.4%
was carried out on the questionnaire using the
three copies of the questionnaire administered to
twenty librarians at University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Table 2. Demographic information of the respondents
A reliability coefficient index of 0.76 was obtained
using the Cronbach alpha method. The researchers Ranks: No. Percentage (%)
and two research assistants administered the Librarian I 42 26.9
questionnaire. Part 1 was answered using frequency Principal Librarian 39 25
and percentage. Parts 2 to 4 were answered using Senior Librarian 38 24.4
frequency, mean and standard deviation. The Librarian II 33 21.2
criterion means of 2.50–2.99 was used for the Deputy University Librarian 3 7.7
University Librarian 1 0.6
study (<2.50 = Low Extent; 2.50–2.99 = Moderate
Total 156 100
Extent; > 2.99 = High Extent). SPSS version 21 Academic Qualifications:
was used for the analysis. The results were pre- Masters 129 82.7
sented in tables. PhD 27 17.3
As revealed in Table 1, a total of 235 copies of the Total 156 100
questionnaire were administered and 156 were filled Gender:
and returned. This gave a response rate of 66.4%. Female 83 53.2
The response rate of 66.4% is considered adequate Male 73 46.8
Total 156 100
for the study because the standard and acceptable
8 Information Development 0(0)

Table 3. Role of librarians in RDM services in nigerian Table 5. Benefits of RDM services to libraries.
universities.
Agree
Agree
Benefits of RDM No. %
Role No. %
Enhanced data accessibility facilitated by the 140 89.7
Research facilitation 133 85.3 proper organization of data
Effective research verification 129 82.7 The clarity in ownership and intellectual 139 89.1
Promotion of scientific communication and 128 82.1 property rights
understanding Protection of data from being misused 139 89.1
Facilitation of long-term data storage 124 79.5 Increase in research collaboration 138 88.5
Development of open access movement 121 77.6 Development of data management skills 136 87.2
Enhancement of RDM awareness 120 76.9 among librarians
Introduction of efficient research data value 116 74.4 Increase in data dissemination and sharing 134 85.9
appraisal system Easy data accessibility when needed 134 85.9
Organization and regular data management 109 69.9 Development of expertise in research data 133 85.3
management
Reduction in risk of the loss of data 131 84
Increase in research visibility and citation 130 83.3
Table 4. Extent of involvement of librarians in RDM Prospects of research being funded by funding 129 82.7
services in nigeria. agencies
Mean Std
Involvement in RDM Services (
x) Dev.
Benefits of RDM Services to Libraries
National data policy implementation 2.23 .983 As revealed in Table 5, the librarians responded
Research data management services 2.18 .954 that the benefits libraries derive from RDM services
analysis
include enhanced data accessibility facilitated by the
Standardization of research data 2.13 .962
management services proper organization of data 140(89.7%), clarity in
Research data management policy 2.13 .942 ownership and intellectual property rights 139(89.1),
formulation protection of data from being misused 139(89.1%),
Research data management system 2.12 .973 and increase in research collaboration 138(88.5%).
platform analysis
Creation of data awareness for 2.12 .957
researchers Challenges librarians encounter in carrying out RDM
Development of staff data confidence 2.12 1.016 services in Nigerian universities
Provision of data advice for researchers 2.09 .946
Encouragement of open-access research 2.08 .943 Table 6 shows that the challenges librarians encounter
data in carrying out RDM services in Nigeria include lack
Local data policy implementation 2.08 .967 of data management plan 114(73.1%, 112(71.8%) and
Identification of essential data skills 2.06 .955 112(71.8%). However, the challenges are low in the
Development of local data curation 2.06 .972 areas of knowledge and skills gaps in research
capacity
Data literacy education research 2.06 .925
66(42.3%, lack of personal experience in research
Research data management policy 2.03 .897 64(41%), and lack of interest in RDM 64(41%).
analysis
Average Mean 2.11
Criterion means: < 2.50 (Low Extent), 2.5 0 to 3.00 Discussion
(Moderate Extent), > 3.00 (High Extent) The need for effective delivery of library services
requires the participation of librarians in RDM. The
finding of this study shows that the roles of librarians
Involvement of librarians in RDM services in RDM services in Nigerian universities include
Table 4 reveals that the average mean (
x=2.11) is research facilitation, effective research verification,
less than the criterion mean. This means that the promotion of scientific communication and under-
extent of involvement of librarians in RDM services standing, facilitation of long-term data storage.
in Nigeria is low. Effective research verification is to ascertain the
Adekoya et al: Research data management services among librarians in Nigerian universities 9

Table 6. Challenges librarians encounter in carrying out front in planning and facilitation of research data ser-
RDM services in nigerian universities. vices in Nigerian universities. Owan and Bassey
Agree (2019) claimed that the involvement of librarians in
RDM in Nigerian universities expedites data discover-
Challenges No. % ability, accessibility, and understandability. This
Lack of data management plan 114 73.1 development has led some academic libraries in
Limited grants from research funding agencies 112 71.8 Ghana to begin to establish institutional data reposi-
Inadequate fund allocation for RDM 112 71.8 tories to provide for the storage and retrieval needs
Unavailability of skilled resource persons to 110 70.5 of their institutions (Abankwa & Yuan, 2019). Since
conduct training on RDM librarians support research society with the provision
Changing cultures of research 108 69.2 of the required information resources, they need
Little or no knowledge of disciplinary and 108 69.2
RDM to ease the burden of endless searching of
sub-disciplinary differences in research data
needed by researchers research data by researchers. In the modern era of
Lack of knowledge about data that are keenly 105 67.3 ICT, the onus is on librarians to engage in RDM ser-
vital to the researchers vices to preserve and manage data for reuse.
Lack of understanding of the role to play in 105 67.3 This study found that the extent of involvement in
RDM RDM services by librarians in Nigerian universities
knowledge and skills gaps in research 66 42.3 is low. In reality, promotion of scholarship and
Lack of personal experience in research 64 41 enhancement of scientific communication and under-
Lack of interest in RDM 64 41
standing require that academics in universities have
to be involved in data management (Odigwe et al.,
2020), especially librarians. Information as processed
authenticity and authorship of research (Brocardo et data has to be preserved and made available for use at
al., 2013). This is so because scientific research the needed time. Zhou (2018) averred that among the
requires enormous use of valid and verified research mandates of librarians in an academic environment is
data (Yoon and Schultz, 2017). Clement and Schiff the creation of RDM awareness for researchers and
(2015) attested that there is an encouragement of standardization of RDM services. Doing this entails
open sharing of data within the scientific community the development of library workforce data confidence,
to facilitate and verify research, promote scientific provision of data advice to researchers, development
communication and understanding, and facilitate of local data curation capacity, and identification of
long-term data storage. In view of Ashiq et al. data skills needed by students and researchers.
(2022), RDM as an innovative aspect for libraries However, Tenopir et al. (2012) berated the low level
requires librarians to play significant role in promoting of involvement of librarians in RDM services. This
scientific communication. Chabot et al. (2016) may be because most of the librarians see RDM
claimed that the role of librarians in RDM is to service as an entirely novel development in the librar-
support research needs of researchers. In the current ies. More so, the claim by Chabot et al. (2016) that
era in which many people are questioning the neces- librarians have to concentrate on offering RDM creativ-
sity for the existence of libraries as people can get ities and resources at all stages of the research lifecycle
most of the information resources they need online, will make RDM a difficult task to accomplish in some
the onus is on libraries and librarians to actively take libraries in Nigeria. This is because the concept of
advantage of RDM service to strengthen their relation- RDM is recent and has not gained popularity among
ship with their wider institution community librarians in Nigeria. More so, some of the librarians
(Nwabugwu and Godwin, 2020). may not see RDM as their core responsibility.
The finding that RDM helps in the development of Notwithstanding the low level of involvement of
the open access movement is not far from that of Zhou librarians in RDM, this study found that libraries
(2018) who affirmed that RDM plays a crucial role in derive a number of benefits from RDM services.
the development of the open access movement. A These include enhanced data, accessibility facilitated
study by Sheik et al. (2023) found that the develop- by the proper organization of data, development of
ment of RDM services in libraries are more predomin- data management skills by librarians, increase in
ant in advanced nations. A study by Nwabugwu and data dissemination and sharing, easy data accessibility
Godwin (2020) attested that librarians are at the fore when needed, clarity in ownership and intellectual
10 Information Development 0(0)

property rights, protection of data from being misused, skills and understanding of repositories, data dis-
and increase in research collaboration. This is not far covery mechanisms, funders’ policies, data publica-
from the submissions of Dora and Kumar (2015); tion requirements of journals, data sharing, and data
and Tenopir et al. (2012). These researchers submitted citation. Ball (2013) noted that some librarians are
that long-term conservation of data for future confirm- interested in offering but do not have the expertise
ation, the opportunity to reuse data, the prospect of and resources required. This situation calls for peri-
updating data, time-saving in the reuse of data, visibil- odical RDM training and continuous financial invest-
ity of the host institution and researchers, and enhance- ment in RDM by libraries and academic institutions.
ment of the quality of research are some of the benefits The finding that a lack of data management plan, and
of RDM. In the real sense of it, fulfillment of the basic inadequate fund allocation for RDM hamper RDM ser-
educational objective of grooming prospective vices by librarians is in line with the findings of Kennan
researchers necessitates training student-librarians on and Markauskaite (2015); and Nwabugwu and Godwin
RDM. In this wise, librarians and faculty members (2020) that the absence of RDM practice plans and
offer thorough RDM training to the students in a way insufficient financial resources hamper the effectiveness
that provides the advantage of explicit and true research of RDM in some libraries.
applications (Schmidt and Holles, 2018).
Librarians encounter some challenges in their effort
to render RDM services. These challenges, as found in Conclusion
this study, include a lack of a data management plan,
RDM is a vital service that twenty-first-century librar-
limited grants from research funding agencies, inad-
ians are expected to render. Given the increase in
equate fund allocation for RDM, unavailability of
prominence of research data, and that the scientific
skilled resource persons to conduct training on
research paradigms have been transformed leading
RDM, and little or no knowledge of disciplinary and
to the development of open access movements and
sub-disciplinary differences in research data needed
RDM, librarians in Nigerian universities have ample
by researchers. Meanwhile, it is through training that
opportunity to incorporate RDM services into the
librarians can have comprehensive and in-depth
new scientific research revolution. However, the
knowledge and understanding of RDM. A systematic
extent of involvement of librarians in RDM services
literature review on RDM practices and services by
in Nigeria is low despite the fact that the roles of
Ashiq et al. (2022) found that librarians do not
librarians in RDM services in Nigerian universities
possess the requisite skills to handle RDM. A study
are to encourage research facilitation, ensure effective
by Sheik et al. (2023) found that institutional commit-
research verification, and promote scientific commu-
ment, collaboration, technological infrastructure
nication and understanding. The involvement of
development, lack of policies, funding, and skills
librarians in RDM will bring a lot of benefits to librar-
needed for librarians to provide RDM-based services
ies. These include enhanced data accessibility facili-
are among the major challenges librarians face in
tated by the proper organization of data, clarity in
RDM. Chawinga and Zinn (2020) acknowledged
ownership and intellectual property rights, and protec-
lack of RDM policies, poor encouragements, inad-
tion of data from being misused, and increase in
equate skills and lack of data infrastructure as some
research collaboration. Meanwhile, ensuring effective
of the challenges that frustrate RDM efforts among
RDM by librarians requires addressing challenges
librarians. Abduldayan et al. (2021) averred that
such as lack of data management plan, limited grants
despite the universal acknowledgement of libraries
from research funding agencies, and inadequate fund
as the most preferred venue for long-term data preser-
allocation for RDM
vation, lack of trust and anxiety regarding loss of data
ownership to other parties is a serious issue. More so,
there are no formal data management plans followed
in conducting some scientific research. Recommendations
In line with the finding of this study, Tenopir Based on the findings of this study, the following
et al. (2014) observed that RDM is usually hindered recommendations are made.
by knowledge and skills gaps among librarians.
Schmidt and Shearer (2016), and Ng’eno and 1. Librarians in Nigerian universities should
Mutula (2018) asserted that librarians should have intensify more effort in carrying out RMD
Adekoya et al: Research data management services among librarians in Nigerian universities 11

services to enhance the availability of research Chabot L, Bivens-Tatum W, Coates HL, et al. (2016) 2016
data for the research community. Top trends in academic libraries A review of the
2. Universities in Nigeria should create adequate trends and issues affecting academic libraries in
RDM centers in the libraries as this will higher education. College & Research Libraries
prevent data loss and enhance the accessibility News 77(6): 274–281.
Chawinga WD and Zinn S (2020) Research data manage-
of research data by researchers.
ment at a public university in Malawi: The role of
3. The university should create RDM programs “three hands”. Library Management 41(6/7): 467–485.
backed by efficient technical infrastructure, Chiware E and Mathe Z (2015) Academic libraries’ role in
comprehensive policies, and adequate person- research data management services: A South African
nel and financial resources to support the use perspective. South African Journal of Libraries and
of research data. Information Science 81: 1–10.
4. Librarians in Nigerian universities should Clement G and Schiff L (2015) Mapping the landscape of
undertake the task of conducting comprehen- research data: How JLSC contributors view this rapidly
sive RDM services for the benefit of the emerging terrain. Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly
research community, and also address the chal- Communication 3(2).
lenges encountered in carrying out RDM Cox AM and Pinfield S (2013) Research data management
services. and libraries: Current activities and future priorities.
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 46.
DOI: 10.1177/0961000613492542
ORCID iD Cox AM and Pinfield S (2014) Research data management and
Clement Ola Adekoya https://orcid.org/0000-0003- libraries: Current activities and future priorities. Journal of
2044-7195 Librarianship and Information Science 46: 299–316.
Cox AM, Pinfield S and Smith J (2016) Moving a brick
building: UK libraries coping with research data manage-
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Odigwe FN and Owan VJ (2022) Management of data in
higher education and the quality of academic research About the authors
of university lecturers: A case study in south-south
Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Business Clement Ola Adekoya is currently a librarian at Olusegun
Strategies (IJIBS) 6(1): 378–387. Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa,
Owan VJ and Bassey BA (2019) Data management practices Nigeria. He has over 25 publications in professional and schol-
in educational research. In: Ololube NP and Nwiyi GU arly journals. He can be contacted via myclem10@ gmail.com.
Adekoya et al: Research data management services among librarians in Nigerian universities 13

Isioma Rita Guobiazor is currently a librarian at College and classification, collection development and library
of Education (Technical), Asaba. She holds B.Sc. and service to target groups. He has over 40 publications,
M.Sc. in Library and Information Science. She can be con- both local and international. He can be contacted via
tacted via [email protected]. [email protected].

Isaac Oluwadare Busayo is the current University Adesola Victoria Alade is currently a principal librarian at
Librarian of the Federal University Oue-Ekiti. He is a sea- Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology,
soned librarian with PhD in Media Resources Management Okitipupa, Nigeria. She has published several articles in
from the University of Ibadan. He has over 30 years work professional and scholarly journals. She can be contacted
experience. His areas of specialization include cataloguing via avshola@ yahoo.com.