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Pioneers of High-Quality Research Data
Data stewards ensure that research data is structured and of high quality and can be used for research. Since the profession’s introduction in the early 2000s, they have stood for professional data management in organisations and research projects and guarantee the security and usability of data. In science, established data management practices are often still lacking, and this is where data stewards step in. Like Batman in Gotham City, they operate behind the Scenes and provide their expertise in data quality and security. In this way, they bring order to the often chaotic processes and prepare the ground for effective research.
Data Stewards support Researchers
Anyone who has ever felt lost among data points and measurement intervals knows how challenging it can be to maintain an overview. Data stewards support researchers from the very beginning of a project, embedding proper standards for robust research data management. They identify the types and formats of data involved, advise on how long data should be stored, and provide guidance on choosing repositories for publication, as well as licensing issues. With a Superman-like X-ray vision, they scan data structures and spot potential pitfalls before they become problems. This allows researchers to easily handle the often complex data processing and concentrate on the essentials: their discoveries. Julia Fürst, a data superhero at NFDI4Health, describes her daily work: “There are some constants, such as contact with researchers, but we often can't anticipate what exactly will be asked or where we should provide support - so we learn something new every day.”
Data Stewards at NFDI4Health: Guardians of Sensitive Health Data
When dealing with sensitive health data, as in the NFDI4Health project, professional research data management is essential. Our data stewards assist researchers in efficiently managing and securely utilising confidential health information. Researchers who want to make their health studies discoverable via the Health Study Hub – a core service of NFDI4Health – receive comprehensive advice. They also offer guidance on suitable repositories, persistent identifiers, data security, legal regulations, and standardised templates. Like Spiderman, they weave webs between key stakeholders, connecting the right partners. Our data stewards also develop FAQs, standards, and data management plans for clinical and epidemiological research. Another important focus of their work is knowledge transfer through workshops and tutorials. By sharing expertise in training sessions, they enhance data literacy and help protect personal health data in the long term.
Future Developments in Data Management
New demands and increasing requests for research data management call for innovative approaches. Alongside data stewards, more organisations are relying on “train the trainer” concepts and the establishment of Data Science Centres. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will also play an ever-greater role in classifying and analysing data in the future.
Data stewards combine this technical know-how with intuition and ethics, remaining an irreplaceable human component. They face the challenges of the future as steadfastly as Heracles once did. Anyway, one thing is certain: the future of data management is as dynamic as the data itself. Those who keep an eye on emerging trends today will be well-prepared for tomorrow. And who knows – perhaps it’s the superpowers of our data heroes that will lead us there!
This blog post about data stewards is based on the work of Task Area 2, “Standards for FAIR Data”. May thanks to Julia Fürst for sharing her insights.
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Welcome to #BehindTheScenes of NFDI4Health!
In the #BehindTheScenes blog, we are pulling back the curtain, providing insights into our day-to-day work and sharing hands-on information. In regular blog posts, we take you behind the scenes and highlight the latest developments, hurdles, and triumphs of our 6 task areas, which come with exploring the frontiers of health research. Discover our current topics and keep posted! To find our other blog posts from the #BehindTheScenes series, click here.
