Preamble

Open Science is a concept that is gaining momentum as scientific endeavours and timely technological solutions are needed to address growing challenges for sustainable development, climate related targets, and higher performance in applied research and innovation. Scientific knowledge and scholarly application need to be more transparent, following a culture of sharing, exchange and access such that results and methods can be replicated and validated, while codes and analysis can be passed on for additional application and development without unnecessary duplications and delays in further advancement. Open Science thus goes much beyond the peer-review and open publishing of the scientific literature. It entails a complete and full delivery of the underlying research data, scientific methods, analysis and computing programs on top of the theoretical aspects.

To this effect, the six partner universities composing the European University of the Sea (SEA-EU) are preparing to implement Research Data Management Policies as a fundamental step to ensure that research data is organised in a harmonised fashion throughout the entire research lifecycle which supports archiving and sharing, where appropriate. A baseline Policy Framework is necessary to provide common principles and guidelines to policymakers responsible for research management within the SEA-EU partner Universities.  This facilitates the process of how research data should be managed, preserved and disseminated in order to maximise the potential of the research output in support of core values and missions. In practical terms, the Policy Framework aims to support SEA-EU institutions with the adoption and implementation of Research Data Management Policies that facilitate the appropriate curation and management of data, to secure its longevity and its potential to be shared.

This questionnaire is intended to pave the way towards the creation and successful implementation of a Research Data Management Policy at the University of Malta. Aside from affirming the structure and the key elements of the planned policy, it also serves to provide a clear picture about the expectations and experiences within the academic community, and shed some light on the current practices employed in the area of managing and publishing of research data.