On “Policy Recommendations for Open Access to Research Data,” by the RECODE Project Consortium
“Policy Recommendations for Open Access to Research Data” is a report and summary of recommendations made by the RECODE Project Consortium. The RECODE Project is a European partnership that explores solutions to open access implementation and effective research data management. Project partners include Trilateral Research & Consulting, the (previously named) e-Humanities group at KNAW, the University of Sheffield, the Stichting LIBER Foundation, the National Documentation Center, the National Research Council of Italy, the Biekinge Institute for Technology, and the Amsterdam University Press. In “Policy Recommendations for Open Access to Research Data,” the compilers identify two main issues in regard to open access and research data: “a lack of a coherent open data ecosystem; and a lack of attention to the specificity of research practice, processes and data collections” (3). To remedy this, they make a series of overarching recommendations, as well as more direct recommendations aimed at funders, research institutions, data managers, and publishers.
Overarching recommendations are as follows:
- Develop aligned and comprehensive policies for open access to research data;
- Ensure appropriate funding for open access to research data;
- Develop policies and initiatives that offer researchers rewards for open access to high quality data;
- Identify key stakeholders and relevant networks and foster collaborative work for a sustainable ecosystem for open access to research data;
- Plan for the long-term, sustainable curation and preservation of open access data;
- Develop comprehensive and collaborative technical and infrastructure solutions that afford open access to and long-term preservation of high-quality research data;
- Develop technical and scientific quality standards for research data;
- Require the use of harmonized open licensing frameworks;
- Systematically address legal and ethical issues arising from open access to research data;
- Support the transition to open research data through curriculum-development and training.
Overall, the report offers insight into implementation challenges in Europe, which could be readily considered in the Canadian system as well, despite differences in institutions and funding agencies.
Work cited
RECODE Project Consortium. 2014. “Policy Recommendations for Open Access to Research Data.” http://recodeproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/recode_guideline_en_web_version_full_FINAL.pdf