Research Data Management in the Image Lifecycle: A Study of Current Behaviors

Abstract

Research data management (RDM) practices are critical for ensuring research success. Data can assume diverse formats and data in image format have been understudied in RDM. To understand image management habits in research, we have conducted semi-structured interviews with researchers from four research domains. Most researchers do not formally manage their images, nor do they develop RDM plans. They assume that image management is not a topic discussed at project meetings. In turn, they tend to perform some individual practices, depending on the context and their own opinion, such as creating captions to describe the images and organizing and storing the images in specific locations. However, they see these habits as necessary and admit that they will start to do so in a formal and collaborative way with the working group. These results provide valuable information on practical aspects of the use and production of images in research.