Data Practices of Agricultural Scientists: Results from an Exploratory Study

Abstract

This qualitative study examines data practices of agricultural scientists. A series of individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with researchers from multiple agricultural disciplines to identify commonalities of data management approaches, to document currently available data management infrastructure, and to explore experiences and attitudes toward sharing of research data. The study highlights the challenges and obstacles agricultural scientists face when managing research data. It shows how barriers to data access and sharing jeopardize usability and longevity of potentially valuable and unique agricultural data sets.