Trainer

Ranke.2 is a teaching platform for lecturers and students of History to teach how to apply source criticism to digitised and digital born historical sources.

Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service is pleased to announce the launch of the Research Data Management (RDM) Adventure Game. The RDM Adventure Game is a text-based role-playing interactive fiction serious game, based on the data management challenges of a research project. The game takes the form of an online choose-your-own-adventure format in which game players take a simulated research project through the following processes: data management planning, data collection/generation, data organisation, data description and research publication, while encountering data management challenges along the way. The game was developed as part of a collaboration between the University of Bath Library and Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service between 2017 and 2020 by Alex Ball (University of Bath), Samuel Simango (Stellenbosch University) and Nushrat Khan (University of Bath). In January 2021, the Wellcome Trust's Early Career Researchers Advisory Board endorsed the game by including it in the Wellcome Open Research early career researchers pack, recognising it as a useful tool for researchers.

The Game itself is available here 

Citing a dataset correctly is just as important as citing articles, books, images and websites - each dataset is a source of evidence to support our argument.

This resource includes videos, presentations and top ten tips for citing data. These can be used by trainers to teach and highlight the importance of data citation. 

QAMyData is an easy-to-use, open source tool that provides a health check for numeric data. The tool uses automated methods to detect and report on some of the most common problems in survey or numeric data, such as missingness, duplication, outliers and direct identifiers.

The tool offers a number of configurable tests that have been categorised into four types: file, metadata, data integrity, and identifiers, which can be run on popular file formats, including SPSS, Stata, SAS and CSV. A standard config file has default settings for each test, such as a threshold for pass or fail on various tests (e.g. detect value label that are truncated, email addresses identified as a string, or undefined missing values) which can be easily adapted to meet the user’s own desired thresholds. The configuration feature allows the creation of a unique Data Quality Profile. The software creates a ‘data health check’ that details errors and issues as both a summary and detailed report, providing a location of the failed test. New tests can easily be added. Data depositors and publishers can act on the results and resubmit the file until a clean bill of health is produced.

These introductory level interactive modules are designed for users who want to get to grips with key aspects of survey, longitudinal and aggregate data.

Modules can be conducted in your own time and you are able to dip in and out when needed. The modules give an introduction to key aspects of the data using short instructional videos, interactive quizzes and activities using open access software where possible.

Each module stands alone but those with little experience of surveys may find it useful to start with the Survey Data Module before moving on to the Longitudinal Data Module.

Modules include: Survey Data, Longitudinal Data, Aggregate Data

Guide designed to be used as a resource for encouraging better data management and research integrity in undergraduate dissertations, and is aimed at RDM trainers and teachers supervising research projects and students undertaking them. The resource consists of a number of practical templates and exemplars, and a link to the slides for teaching is also included. These can be adapted and modified to suit various project needs and different disciplines.

QualiBank is an online tool for browsing, searching and citing the content of selected qualitative data collections held at the UK Data Service.

DMPonline is a web-based tool that supports researchers to develop data management and sharing plans. It contains the latest funder templates and best practice guidelines to support users to create quality DMPs.

Within the tool you will find custom guidance and example answers to help you develop your DMP. These are offered by the DCC, research funders and many research organisations. You can also browse the growing list of public DMPs published by other users of the tool for inspiration.

The service is free at the point of use for researchers to develop DMPs regardless of whether their institution or funder is a customer. DMPonline is also available on subscription for institutions that require a customised service.

Section of the Library and information service of Stellenbosch University offering Training and Consultancy on Research Data Management

This source includes interactive modules designed for users who want to get to grips with key aspects of survey, longitudinal and aggregate data as well as tools that can be used to assess and improve data quality. 

Modules can be conducted in your own time and you are able to dip in and out when needed. The modules give an introduction to key aspects of the data using short instructional videos, interactive quizzes and activities using open access software where possible. Tools include guides, documentation and exercises.