The research lifecycle is a representation of the activities that occur throughout a research process. It starts with an idea to pursue, followed by data collection, and data analysis, that continues with interpretation of the analysis in the form of a research publication. Grouped into sequential steps or stages, research lifecycle covers everything from conceptualization to knowledge transfer. Each stage comprises a set of related activities that culminate in a significant outcome that is then carried forward to the next stage. The research output could be shared in the form of a book or article, blog, presentation, or through any other communication channel. These primary research outputs once disseminated provide an opportunity for the scholarly community to engage in discussions, debates, and further study on the topic at hand. The outcome of further study starts the cycle anew. By linking together a series of stages in the research process in a logical sequence, the research lifecycle is represented. Within the research lifecycle, several stages involve the production and management of data and metadata apart from the scholarly publication which is the ultimate outcome.
The
research lifecycle diagram by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC)
represented here shows an interconnected bicycle, the top one showing the
research lifecycle, and emanating from the research process stage the data
lifecycle interwoven below it.
The
research lifecycle comprises three major processes:
·
Research Planning,
·
Data Collection and
Management, and
·
Scholarly Communication.
Data
Management Consulting Group (DMConsult) of the University of Virginia Library
representation of the steps in the Research Life Cycle (Fig. 1.1) is quite
library centric where library services can be engaged. It focuses more on the
data management aspects including metadata as well.
Figure: Research Life
Cycle
The
figure above broadly categorises the research lifecycle into following major
components:
·
Proposal Planning and Writing
– This step includes review of existing data sets, decision on whether to
produce a new dataset (or combing existing), investigation of archiving
challenges, consent and confidentiality, identify potential users of data, cost
analysis for archiving and consultation with archivists.
·
Project Start Up – this step
involves preparation of data management plan, take decisions about
documentation form and content and conduct pilot test of materials and methods.
·
Data Collection – For data
collection one needs to look into the best practices. Collected data needs to
be properly organized and also one needs to arrange for backups and storage.
This step will also require quality assurance mechanism in place for data
collection and also decision on access control and security aspects.
·
Data Analysis – This step
includes managing file versions, document analysis and file manipulations.
·
Data Sharing – Depending on
the data sharing policy decision on file formats has to be made. Consultation
of archivist for advice on data storage may be required and cleaning up of
redundant data needs to be looked into.
·
End of Project- In the final
step one may write paper/ article, submit report on findings and deposit data
in a data archive/ repository.
Managing
data in a research project is a process that is most crucial and runs
throughout the research lifecycle. Good management of data is essential to
ensure that data is preserved and remains accessible in the long-term, so that
it can be re-used by other researchers. When managed and preserved properly
research data can be successfully used for future scientific purposes.
Researchers need help to manage their data and this is where libraries can play
a major role. One of the most significant changes in the recent years has been
the widespread recognition of data as an asset.
References
and Further Reading
Gu,
Feng & Widén-Wulff, Gunilla (2011). Scholarly communication and possible
changes in the context of social media: A Finnish case study. The Electronic
Library, 29(6), 762-776.
Shorley, D., & Jubb, M. (2013). The future of scholarly
communication. London: Facet Publishing,
Starr, Joan (2012). What is the research life
cycle? Available at http://www.slideshare.net/joanstarr/the-research-data-life-cycle
