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Collaborative qualitative research at scale: Reflections on 20 years of acquiring global data and making data global

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  • Christine L. Borgman
  • Morgan F. Wofford
  • Milena S. Golshan
  • Peter T. Darch

Abstract

A 5‐year project to study scientific data uses in geography, starting in 1999, evolved into 20 years of research on data practices in sensor networks, environmental sciences, biology, seismology, undersea science, biomedicine, astronomy, and other fields. By emulating the “team science” approaches of the scientists studied, the UCLA Center for Knowledge Infrastructures accumulated a comprehensive collection of qualitative data about how scientists generate, manage, use, and reuse data across domains. Building upon Paul N. Edwards's model of “making global data”—collecting signals via consistent methods, technologies, and policies—to “make data global”—comparing and integrating those data, the research team has managed and exploited these data as a collaborative resource. This article reflects on the social, technical, organizational, economic, and policy challenges the team has encountered in creating new knowledge from data old and new. We reflect on continuity over generations of students and staff, transitions between grants, transfer of legacy data between software tools, research methods, and the role of professional data managers in the social sciences.

Suggested Citation

  • Christine L. Borgman & Morgan F. Wofford & Milena S. Golshan & Peter T. Darch, 2021. "Collaborative qualitative research at scale: Reflections on 20 years of acquiring global data and making data global," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 72(6), pages 667-682, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jinfst:v:72:y:2021:i:6:p:667-682
    DOI: 10.1002/asi.24439
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthew S. Mayernik, 2016. "Research data and metadata curation as institutional issues," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 67(4), pages 973-993, April.
    2. Peter T. Darch & Ashley E. Sands & Christine L. Borgman & Milena S. Golshan, 2020. "Library cultures of data curation: Adventures in astronomy," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 71(12), pages 1470-1483, December.
    3. Susan Leigh Star & Karen Ruhleder, 1996. "Steps Toward an Ecology of Infrastructure: Design and Access for Large Information Spaces," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 7(1), pages 111-134, March.
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