|
Directorate
for Geosciences--Data Policies
The NSF brings transparency to its long-standing policy on dissemination
and sharing of research results through the required inclusion of
a data management plan with each project submission:
www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf11001/gpg_2.jsp#dmp.
Plans for the dissemination and sharing of research results will
be traceable from the beginning to the end of a project (proposal,
review, and annual/final report). The primary goal of this procedural
change is to assure that products of research help NSF achieve its
mission to promote the progress of science and engineering.
The National Science Board produced a 2005 report on “Long-Lived
Digital Data Collections" which recognized that science has
become increasingly data-intensive, requiring new kinds of collaborations
and techniques. The new requirement that all research proposals
include a Data Management Plan effectively implements a recommendation
from this report. The NSB report represents one of several influential
reports that note that major advances in technology are driving
rapid changes in the scale, scope and complexity of science and
engineering data collections. These changes can create significant
obstacles for communities that strive to make the products of science
openly accessible. If access to data and knowledge are to be as
broad as possible, cultural and institutional changes must keep
pace with technology changes.
Resources
The National Science Foundation maintains a website of resources that
will help in the preparation of compliant and useful data management
plans, including a set of Frequently Asked Questions. Geosciences
complements these resources with information specific to geosciences
research and programs, including GEO data guidance and community data
resources.
NSF: Dissemination
and Sharing of Research Results
NSF:
Data Management & Sharing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
GEO Divsion Data Policies and Information
Community Feedback
It’s important to recognize that data sharing is evolving,
and we do not have all the answers yet. Just like the introduction
of the Broader Impacts criteria 1997, we expect some change, some
evolution, some creativity, and some individuality as the culture
of sharing grows and we become better stewards of Geoscience data.
The NSB acknowledges that issues surrounding data sharing and management
are complex. These issues include broad and timely access to data,
sustainability of data, cost burdens associated with data management,
and openness of data generated with taxpayer dollars, to name a
few. An NSB Task Force on Data Policies was established in February
2010 with the charge of further defining the issues and outlining
possible options to make the use of data more effective in meeting
NSF’s mission. This Task Force will be carefully considering
the impact of the new requirement for Data Management Plans.
GEO seeks to add to this dialog with feedback from its community
regarding this new requirement. A special email address, geo-DMP-feedback@nsf.gov,
is available for providing comment or submitting questions. Please,
also contact your program director for questions
|
