Recently, a task group of the Dutch National Coordination Point RDM (LCRDM) delivered a report on data stewardship. Within the LCDRM, experts collaborate in task groups on RDM topics that are too large for one institution to solve and which need a coordinated national approach. Taking into account prevailing uncertainty about the interpretation of data stewardship, the objective of this task force was to provide insight into the demands currently made of data stewards by Dutch institutes, and the solutions that have been developed and implemented for them. The report was realized by various means:
- Studying international literature in this field
- Analysing a total of twenty-two vacancies
- Surveying staff from more than 30 research organizations using a questionnaire
- Conducting follow-up interviews with eight data experts from the professional field, in order to evaluate the survey findings and ask more in-depth questions
This gave a clear picture of how data stewardship was being implemented at Dutch institutes, as well as guidance on what currently works and what more is needed. The report offers a basis for clearer job descriptions of data stewardship roles and will also help institutions to implement data stewardship locally.
