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

Data management and sharing: Practices and perceptions of psychology researchers

John A Borghi  1 , Ana E Van Gulick  2
Affiliations

Data management and sharing: Practices and perceptions of psychology researchers

John A Borghi et al. PLoS One. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

I have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: Both authors work broadly in the field of data management and sharing. AEV is currently employed by the commercial company Figshare. This commercial affiliation does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials. The project described in this paper was planned and all data was collected before AEV began her position at Figshare. The employers of neither author have influenced the development of the survey instrument, how data was collected or analyzed, or how the conclusions from this project are disseminated.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Factors that motivate and limit psychology researchers’ data management practices.
Participants were asked to rate the degree to which different factors motivate and limit their data-related practices on a scale of 1 (not limited/motivated) to 5 (highly limited/motivated). For motivations, participants gave high ratings to immediate and practical concerns, such as the desire not to lose data as well as broader concerns such as the desire to foster reproducibility and research transparency. Ratings for limitations were more diffuse.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Current and future adoption of emerging publication practices.
Percentage of participants who have (blue) and plan to (orange) adopt a range of scholarly communications practices.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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