Data Sharing Perceptions among Chemists in Federal Universities of Technology, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined data sharing perceptions among chemists in federal universities of technology in Nigeria namely: Federal University of Technology Minna, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Federal University of Technology Akure, Modibo Adama University of Technology Yola and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi. Data sharing ensures that research data remain findable and usable for a long time within the scientific community. An explanatory research design was adopted to understand the perception of chemists on data sharing. An interview schedule was used to gather data from the respondents and thematic analysis was done using the Provalis Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software. The total population of the study was 40 respondents and the sampling technique used was the total enumeration method. Findings revealed that chemists are willing to share research data provided there are effective copyright systems in place. They are also willing to share analysed data after publication. The study recommended that the library should intensify advocacy on the benefits of data sharing which could also serve as a preservation method and as a sustainable means of collaboration within the scientific community.