Skills

How to set up Data Management skills training at your university

Presumably you will have already discussed the need for this with your steering committee/project management group. Together you will have identified the need to provide skills training alongside the implementation of your own universities data management policy. So you have the support and the backing, how are you and others going to deliver?

Know the subject

It is important that you know the subject you (or someone else) are going to train others on. Even if you have a lot of experience, check yourself. Do you know the latest information on Data Management especially policies and requirements? Make sure what information is put out is correct and that you become a subject expert in what you are going to instruct. Either that, or you co-opt an existing subject matter expert. Who can work with you to develop the training.

Establish your skills plan

Write down a list of training objectives or goals. Put them in order and under each put the sub tasks you want the participants to learn. Estimate how much time you will need. This should include goals, specific skills training, hands-on training, if appropriate, and evaluation.

Stakeholders list

Identify stakeholders who can help develop and deliver skills training programs and later undertake regular reviews (e.g. library bioinformatics training program people, faculty based training staff, etc.)

Train the trainer

Convene a workshop(s) to plan and empower those involved in the skills training program. It will be really helpful to get their contributions and ideas to produce success. Help everyone understand the anticipated improvements and benefits for participants at all levels.

• When will training happen?

• Where will the training be delivered?

• Who will deliver the training to who?

The participants

Who will be participate in what skills training?

What forms of communication and information be available to participants?

• Before skills training

• During skills training

• After skills training

Resources and materials

Materials and information will need to be given to participants, some of this can be broad and more general and some very tailored and specific.

• One page Example document: University of Oxford DaMaRo Project

• Slides in different degrees of details and other good information: University of Oxford DaMaRo Project

• MANTRA online course information from University of Edinburgh

What form should the materials take, web pages, documents, both or in a combination?

__________________

Suggestion:

ANDS Data Management Tools shows what's available in Australia. 

(click any of the links in the far right column)

to be continued...