Curating data cultures:
Developing data practices for open interpretative research

A project by the Centre for Interdisciplinary MethodologiesLink opens in a new window, the LibraryLink opens in a new window and Research ComputingLink opens in a new window in collaboration with the Centre for Digital Inquiry

In this project, we invite researchers from across the University of Warwick to work with us to further develop and enhance practices of data curation that advance the goals of open interpretative research.

Project Update: We will host a Curating Data Cultures workshop on 9 July (more info here)

Project description

The call to "open up" our data can be heard all around, as part of a wider drive across sectors to make knowledge more accessible, usable and engaging. While these wider objectives are shared by many, the sciences have historically provided the models for what "open data" means in practice. Open data guidelines and tools tend to be designed with quantitative methods in mind.

Against this backdrop, this research culture project asks: what are the benefits of openness for intepretative research? What practical strategies of data curation can help us realise these benefits? What kind of data infrastructures, data practices and data cultures are needed to enable open inquiry in the humanities and social sciences? What forms of data stewardship - what cultures of data curation - can help us take open inquiry to the next level?

To answer these questions, this project puts the data needs of qualitative researchers at Warwick on centre stage. By inviting researchers from across the University to submit their own data sets to our project, we will be able to adopt a case-based approach and work with them to develop strategies of data stewardship in open inquiry that suit the needs of qualitative research.

What we are looking for

We invite all researchers and scholars from across the University of Warwick and beyond to send us data sets which they have used or are planning to use for interpretative research.

Please use the form below to submit your data set by June 19. We welcome links to descriptions of data sets as well as data files themselves.

Once we have received your data sets, the Curating Data Cultures teamLink opens in a new window will review all submissions to evaluate their potential challenges for open interpretative research.

Next, we will select up to 5 data sets for an in-depth case study. We will work with you, qualitative researchers at Warwick, to identify concrete data curation strategies that can help you realise the benefits of your data for open inquiry.

All participants will receive feedback by mid-June and be notified whether their project was selected for a follow-up case study.

We will present the project findings during an open event at the University of Warwick in September 2024, to which all project participants will be invited.

Funded by the University of Warwick's Enhancing Research Cultures FundLink opens in a new window