Data management procedures in a educational research laboratory

Abstract

The explosion of information and the open access movement have posed significant challenges in data management for laboratories and research groups. The Laboratory of Studies and Research in Social Economy (Laboratório de Estudos e Pesquisas em Economia Social - LEPES) at the University of São Paulo focuses on developing research and impact assessments of social policies in Brazil, generating a substantial amount of research data. However, storing this data on a server with restricted access has led to various issues, including difficulties in accessing data, lack of standardization, security concerns, and version management problems. To address these challenges, this work aims to propose a comprehensive data management solution for LEPES. The proposal encompasses multiple actions, such as education, expertise, curation, indexing, and data privacy, all integrated into an open repository for research data. The primary objective is to facilitate data storage and enable public access, promoting data sharing. The approach taken in this study is an applied research design that utilizes the case study as a method. Additionally, the study draws support from relevant bibliographical and documentary literature. The proposal's innovation lies in its meticulous alignment of data management principles within a laboratory that has a direct impact on Brazilian educational public policies. As for the results, the management group outlines the pathways they followed to ensure secure sharing of research data, while adhering to the existing legal framework. Furthermore, the proposed solution not only benefits LEPES but also offers valuable insights for other groups facing similar data management challenges. Overall, this research endeavours to create a robust and practical data management framework that facilitates safe data sharing, fosters collaboration, and contributes significantly to the advancement of social policy research in Brazil.