Quality of Open Research Data: Values, Convergences and Governance

Data Usage and the Legal Stability of Transactions for the Commercial Operation of Autonomous Vessels Based on Digital Ownership in Korean Civil Law

Stakeholders in the maritime industry have agreed to expand commercial operations by developing autonomous vessels, the epitome of innovative technologies. However, they are still concerned about the risks of infringing on the rights and interests of individuals or organizations linked to data transactions. Based on Locke’s theory of property ownership, and the assurance of absolute ownership as specified in the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, the business model is still in its early stages. This study examined the concept, transaction structure, and application scope of data activating digital platforms to support data transactions, and aid in advancing the new business sector for commercial operations of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASSs). Consequently, this study contributes to and recognizes the future value of knowledge and intellectual property related to maritime data. This is achieved by defining the intellectual property emerging from newer avenues, such as MASSs, blockchain technology, and smart ports, that are consequential to the rapid development of the maritime industry.

A Model for Building Research Capacity and Infrastructure in Oncology: A Nursing Research Fellowship

OBJECTIVE

This article describes how one comprehensive cancer center in the Northeast United States reorganized their nursing research fellowship (NRF) with the goals of engaging nurses in research processes, developing a culture of inquiry, building nursing research capacity, and sustaining infrastructures for facilitating high-quality, nurse-led oncology research studies.

METHODS

The basis for the curriculum, course work, and research practicum is derived from academic courses taught at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Evidence from the current literature, expertise of nurse-scientists, and feedback from former fellows provided the background for a fellowship model that included: (1) amending curriculum timeframes; (2) incorporating protected time; (3) improving access to resources; (4) enhancing the protection, data sharing, and accessibility of data; and (5) involving nurse-scientists as mentors and facilitators of research processes. These factors were incorporated over 3 years. Metrics included individual class and overall course evaluations and ongoing assessments.

RESULTS

In three cohorts from 2016 to 2019, a total of 21 nurses were accepted, and 18 (86%) nurses completed the NRF. In cohort 1 through cohort 3, 17 fellows presented their research findings internally, and a total of nine projects were presented at external forums. There were seven fellows whose manuscript submissions resulted in 21 journal publications. Of the 18 fellows, 15 (83%) conducted institutional review board-approved studies and three (17%) fellows developed studies involving one concept analysis and two systematic reviews.

CONCLUSIONS

Utilizing technology, the fellowship improved access beyond the classroom setting. Improved application processes, the inclusion of protected time for nurses, and mentoring from nurse-scientists demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture supporting new knowledge and innovation for improving patient care.

A Methodology for Creating a Macro Action Plan to Improve IT Use and Its Governance in Organizations

Information Technologies represent a primary instrument in all types of organizations. However, their use is not always well planned in the public sector. The research proposes a methodology to build a realistic action plan that improves the use of information technology and its governance in public organizations. We conduct a case study using semi-structured interviews to investigate the different views of 8 decision-makers regarding the use of IT and its governance. The findings were analyzed systematically and synthesized into a set of perspectives on the subject. An interference matrix reveals how each view interferes and receives positive and/or negative interference from the others. Based on the matrix, the methodology applies criteria to prioritize the perspectives with the highest potential to improve the use of IT and its governance. The final product of the methodology is an action plan aligned with the vision of the institution’s decision-makers. The plan requires little effort to improve the use of IT and its governance. Seventeen views related to the use of IT and its governance emerged from the interviews. Four views that do not cause or receive harmful interference from other perspectives were selected to guide the plan elaboration. The methodology proved to be efficient for creating an action plan adapted to the institutional reality. According to the managers, the action plan represents with high precision the most urgent needs of the organization, respecting its work capacity and available resources for a project to improve the use of IT and its governance.

Data librarianship as a field study

Abstract Data are generated during all human activities related to digital technology. In recent times, scientific research has increasingly opted for digital data as its primary source of data; data definition changes for different disciplines and researchers. In this context, we study the main characteristics of data librarianship as a specialized field of traditional librarianship concerned with data use in libraries. Our work is organized as follows: First, we present a proposed Venn diagram on the theoretical foundations of data librarianship; then, we point out the core skills needed by data librarians. Based on a non-exhaustive literature review, we point out the main topics of research in data librarianship. We describe the significance of research data, data management, data curatorship, and data repositories. Finally, we list a few certification courses in data librarianship. We conclude that data librarianship plays a dynamic role in the practical application of data technologies in libraries, and that professional development, certification, and training in data librarianship are interdisciplinary tasks linked to digital technologies.