Are Medical Students Comfortable Managing Research Data?

Abstract

Objectives: The Lamar Soutter Library at the University of Massachusetts Medical School seeks to evaluate medical students’ awareness of and comfort with data handling and data management concepts. This study will help to triangulate populations and topics for integration of data management curriculum modules. Background: A medical student’s work life is unique due to the demands of their curriculum. In addition, expectations for the stewardship of research data require that students manage their data appropriately. However, data literacy is not a formal component in most undergraduate and graduate student curricula. Libraries have filled this gap by creating educational resources and training opportunities for their communities. For example, the Lamar Soutter Library has developed a comprehensive data management curriculum for students in the sciences. Before piloting this curriculum in the medical school environment, an assessment of medical students’ attitudes toward and comfort levels with data management will isolate receptive populations and curriculum modules. Methods: In Winter 2014, the Lamar Soutter Library will issue a 20-question survey to the students of the School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Critique: The demands of the medical school curricula create a challenge for introducing effective data management training. Needs assessments can identify how data management training can best be integrated into the medical students’ work life. In addition, they may facilitate elective participation in training.