Context-based Roles and Competencies of Data Curators in Supporting Data Lifecycle: Multi-Case Study in China

Abstract

[Purpose/Significance] This essay describes the state quo of data curation in three kinds of given contexts including enterprises, research institutes and libraries in China in data-driven era and discusses on roles of data curation in such given contexts, which would have significance both in theory and practice.

[Method/Process] This essay adopts multi-case study method, with data curation and data governance models, to analyse the roles and their competencies of data curators based on different contexts. Case collection would cover significant enterprises as Neusoft, one of the largest IT companies in China, and research institutions as China Academy of Sciences, and libraries as National Library of China and several academic and university libraries. Via the data lifecycle analysis on different cases, the critical roles such as data supervisor, data steward and data custodian in insuring data quality and efficiency of data reuse would be outlined. Based on observation and interview of participants from corresponding roles, the General Competency Framework (GCF) of different roles required would be put forward. After then, suggestions for empowering data curators would be raised according to GCF.

[Implication/Conclusion] Besides digital archiving and preservation, more emphasis should be on data reutilization in the field of data curation. In different contexts of data curation practices, roles of data curation are not equivalent to interest relators in context of data governance. Different roles of data curators would take their own parts in the process of data curation and should be specified according to data curation in given contexts.

[Originality/Value] The General Competency Framework and empowerment policy suggestions might generate significance for the fields of data curation and data governance.