Research Data Sharing in Spain: Exploring Determinants, Practices, and Perceptions

Rafael Aleixandre-Benavent, Antonio Vidal-Infer, Adolfo Alonso-Arroyo, Fernanda Peset and Antonia Ferrer Sapena
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Rafael Aleixandre-Benavent: Ingenio (CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València), UISYS (CSIC-Universitat de València), 46003 València, Spain
Antonio Vidal-Infer: Departament de Historia de la Ciencia y Documentación, Universitat de València, 46010 València, Spain
Adolfo Alonso-Arroyo: Departament de Historia de la Ciencia y Documentación, Universitat de València, 46010 València, Spain
Fernanda Peset: DCADHA, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain
Antonia Ferrer Sapena: DCADHA, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain

Data, 2020, vol. 5, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: This work provides an overview of a Spanish survey on research data, which was carried out within the framework of the project Datasea at the beginning of 2015. It is covered by the objectives of sustainable development (goal 9) to support the research. The purpose of the study was to identify the habits and current experiences of Spanish researchers in the health sciences in relation to the management and sharing of raw research data. Method: An electronic questionnaire composed of 40 questions divided into three blocks was designed. The three Section s contained questions on the following aspects: (A) personal information; (B) creation and reuse of data; and (C) preservation of data. The questionnaire was sent by email to a list of universities in Spain to be distributed among their researchers and professors. A total of 1063 researchers completed the questionnaire. More than half of the respondents (54.9%) lacked a data management plan; nearly a quarter had storage systems for the research group; 81.5% used personal computers to store data; “Contact with colleagues” was the most frequent means used to locate and access other researchers’ data; and nearly 60% of researchers stated their data were available to the research group and collaborating colleagues. The main fears about sharing were legal questions (47.9%), misuse or interpretation of data (42.7%), and loss of authorship (28.7%). The results allow us to understand the state of data sharing among Spanish researchers and can serve as a basis to identify the needs of researchers to share data, optimize existing infrastructure, and promote data sharing among those who do not practice it yet.

Keywords: data sharing; Spanish survey; willingness; drivers; barriers; sustainable research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C8 C80 C81 C82 C83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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