Winds of change. A recordkeeping informatics approach to information management needs in data-driven research environments
| Date | 11 November 2014 |
| Pages | 205-223 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/RMJ-01-2014-0006 |
| Published date | 11 November 2014 |
| Author | Joanne Evans,Barbara Reed,Henry Linger,Simon Goss,David Holmes,Jan Drobik,Bruce Woodyat,Simon Henbest |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance |
Winds of change
A recordkeeping informatics approach to
information management needs in
data-driven research environments
Joanne Evans
Centre for Organisational and Social Informatics, Monash University,
Melbourne, Australia
Barbara Reed
Recordkeeping Innovation Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia
Henry Linger
Centre for Organisational and Social Informatics, Monash University,
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and
Simon Goss, David Holmes, Jan Drobik, Bruce Woodyat and
Simon Henbest
Aerospace Division, Defence Science and Technology Organisation,
Melbourne, Australia
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to examine the role a recordkeeping informatics approach can play in
understanding and addressing these challenges. In 2011, the Wind Tunnel located at the Defence
Science Technology Organisation (DTSO)’s Fisherman’s Bend site in Melbourne and managed by the
Flight Systems Branch (FSB) celebrated its 70th anniversary. While cause for celebration, it also raised
concerns for DSTO aeronautical scientists and engineers as to capacities to effectively and efciently
manage the data legacy of such an important research facility for the next 70 years, given increased
technological, organisational and collaboration complexities.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper will detail how, through a collaborative action
research project, the twin pillars of continuum thinking and recordkeeping metadata and the three
facets of organisational culture, business process analysis and archival access, were used to examine
the data, information, records and knowledge management challenges in this research data context. It
will discuss how this perspective, was presented, engaged with and evolved into a set of strategies for
the sustained development of FSB’s data, information and records management infrastructure, along
with what is learnt about the approach through the action research process.
Findings – The project found that stressing the underlying principles of recordkeeping, applied to
information resources of all kinds, resonated with the scientic community of FSB. It identied
appropriate strategic, policy and process frameworks to better govern information management
activities.
Research limitations/implications – The utility of a recordkeeping informatics approach to
unpack, explore and develop strategies in technically and organisationally complex recordkeeping
environment is demonstrated, along with the kinds of professional collaboration required to tackle
research data challenges.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0956-5698.htm
Winds of change
205
Received 18 January 2014
Revised 30 April 2014
Accepted 17 June 2014
Records Management Journal
Vol. 24 No. 3, 2014
pp. 205-223
© Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0956-5698
DOI 10.1108/RMJ-01-2014-0006
Practical implications – In embracing technical and organisational complexity, the project has
provided FSB with a strategic framework for the development of their information architecture so that
it is both responsive to local needs, and consistent with broader DSTO requirements.
Originality/value – This paper further develops recordkeeping informatics as an emerging approach
for tackling the recordkeeping challenges of our era in relation to maintaining and sustaining the
evidential authenticity, integrity and reliability of big complex research data sets.
Keywords Recordkeeping informatics, Research data management, Recordkeeping metadata,
Records continuum, Business analysis
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Research data is currently a hot topic in universities and other research institutions, as
a conuence of technical, organisational and social factors give rise to what many are
labelling as a new paradigm of “distributed, data- and information-intensive
collaborative research” (Borgman, 2007). Digital and networking technologies allow for
the creation and analysis of increasingly more complex research data objects on an
unparalleled scale (National Science Foundation Cyberinfrastucture Council, 2007). This
thrusts research data management practices and systems rmly into the spotlight, as
we grapple with understanding the information infrastructure needed to adequately
govern, support and sustain research and development processes in a data-intensive
world. This is reected in a push for research data to be more open and accessible to
improve productivity, foster innovation and be more accountable to funding bodies and
their stakeholders (ANDS Technical Working Group, 2007;Nelson, 2009;OECD
Committee for Scientic and Technological Policy at Ministerial Level, 2004;OECD,
2007). With escalating costs of collecting, managing and preserving digital research
data, the pressure is on to wring every last drop of usefulness from it.
Capabilities of digital and networking technologies have thrown up massive
challenges for data, information, records and knowledge management. Successive
waves of disruptive IT innovations have broken down traditional information
management processes and governance frameworks, leaving many individuals and
organisations with ineffective information resource management and increased
exposure to access, security and accountability risks. There is growing recognition that
much more than just technological solutions are required to address these problems
(Borgman, 2007). New digital data, information, records and knowledge management
skills need to be embedded in the people part of information systems, as well as building
appropriate strategic, policy and process frameworks to better govern information
management activities. While keenly aware of the problems, we are just at the beginning
of nding robust and sustainable solutions.
For some researchers, generating, working with and managing large complex data
sets is not necessarily all that new. In 2011, the Wind Tunnel located at the Defence
Science Technology Organisation (DTSO)’s Fisherman’s Bend site in Melbourne and
managed by the Flight Systems Branch (FSB) celebrated its 70th anniversary. While
cause for celebration it also raised concerns for DSTO aeronautical scientists and
engineers as to capacities to effectively and efciently manage the data legacy of such an
important research facility for the next 70 years. With digital and networking
technologies increasing the size, scale and complexity of the data generated, analysed
and modelled by the facility, FSB is also facing the challenges of its research processes
RMJ
24,3
206
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