Personal Digital Archiving as a Bridge to Research Data Management: Theoretical and Practical Approaches to Teaching Research Data Management Skills for Undergraduates

Abstract

Data literacy is quickly gaining importance for undergraduate students who are preparing to enter the workforce. This chapter brings together three key concepts to address undergraduate data literacy: research data, research data management, and personal digital archiving (PDA). Research data is the material that is collected, observed, or created, for purposes of analysis to produce original research results. Research data management is the practice of organizing, preserving, and providing access to research data. PDA the practice of organizing, maintaining, using, and sharing personal digital information in daily life. Working directly with research data can be an ideal way for students to develop their data literacy. However, most undergraduates do not collect or manage research data regularly. In this chapter, we draw upon the principles of constructivist learning theory to suggest that PDA can be used as an instructional bridge to teach research data management to undergraduates. PDA closely parallels research data management, with the added benefit of being directly relevant to undergraduate students, most of whom manage complex personal digital content on a daily basis. By teaching PDA, librarians encourage authentic learning experiences that immediately resonate with students' day-to-day activities. Teaching PDA builds a foundation of knowledge that not only helps students manage their personal digital materials, but can be translated into research data management skills that will enhance students' academic and professional careers.