Data management and sharing: Practices and perceptions of psychology researchers

PLoS One. 2021 May 21;16(5):e0252047. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252047. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Research data is increasingly viewed as an important scholarly output. While a growing body of studies have investigated researcher practices and perceptions related to data sharing, information about data-related practices throughout the research process (including data collection and analysis) remains largely anecdotal. Building on our previous study of data practices in neuroimaging research, we conducted a survey of data management practices in the field of psychology. Our survey included questions about the type(s) of data collected, the tools used for data analysis, practices related to data organization, maintaining documentation, backup procedures, and long-term archiving of research materials. Our results demonstrate the complexity of managing and sharing data in psychology. Data is collected in multifarious forms from human participants, analyzed using a range of software tools, and archived in formats that may become obsolete. As individuals, our participants demonstrated relatively good data management practices, however they also indicated that there was little standardization within their research group. Participants generally indicated that they were willing to change their current practices in light of new technologies, opportunities, or requirements.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Archives
  • Bibliometrics*
  • Data Collection / methods*
  • Data Management / methods*
  • Humans
  • Information Dissemination / methods
  • Psychology*
  • Software*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Associated data

  • Dryad/10.5061/dryad.6wwpzgmw3

Grants and funding

The funders provided support in the form of salaries for authors [JAB: Stanford University; AEV: Carnegie Mellon University (through Jan 3, 2020), Figshare (beginning Jan 6, 2020)], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.