DATA COLLECTION AND REPOSITORIES SUMMARY

FACULTIES OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SCIENCES INSTRUCTOR : PROF. WINNER CHAWINGA STUDENT : DORA BANDA (MLIS 0122) COURSE TITTLE : DATA CURATION COURSE CODE : MLIS6202 TASK : DATA COLLECTION AND REPOSITORIES SUMMARY DUE DATE : 06TH, MAY, 2026 Introduction Data collection and repositories are important components of library and information, science (LIS), mostly in the context of data curation. As libraries evolve into digital knowledge centres, the ability to systematically gather, preserve and disseminate information has become necessary. Data collection provides the raw material for evidence based decision-making, while repositories ensure long- term safekeeping, and accessibility of scholarly outputs. This essay summarises the practices of data collection and the role of repositories. Data Collection Data collection in LIS refers to the systematic process of gathering information to support research, service evaluation and knowledge organisation .Methods such as surveys, questionnaires, usage statistics and metadata harvesting (Creswell, 2018). Surveys and questionnaires are mostly used to assess user needs and satisfaction, while usage statistics provide insights into resource utilisation patterns, while metadata enables libraries to collect descriptive information about digital resources, facilitating discovery and interoperability across systems (Borgman, 2015). The importance of data collection lies in its ability to inform evidence based practices. By analysing collected data, libraries can allocate resources more effectively, improve services, and support research data management. Borgman (2015) assert that effective data collection is not merely about accumulation but ensuring quality, interoperability and usability, which are critical for scholarly communication in a networked environment. Repositories Repositories, especially institutional repositories (IRs), serve as digital archives for schoralary works, theses, dissertations and datasets. They are designed to promote open access, preserve intellectual outputs, and enhance the visibility of institutional research. Common platforms include DSpace, EPrints and Digital Commons, which provide robust infrastructures (Ravi & Madhusuthanan, 2020). The roles of repositories extend beyond preservation. They ensure accessibility by making research outputs available to global audience, thereby fostering knowledge dissemination. They also enhance visibility, increasing the impact of institutional research. Ravi and Madhusuthanan (2020) found that DSpace is the most widely used repository platform globally, followed by EPrints. This dominance reflects the preference for open-source solutions that support scalability and customisation. Despite their benefits, repositories face challenges such as sustainability, metadata standardisation and compliance with copyright and licensing. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among Librarians, researchers and policy makers to ensure repositories remain viable and effective in the long term. Integration of Data Collection and Repositories The integration of data collection and repositories underscores the evolving role of libraries as data stewards. Robust data collection practices provide accurate metadata, usage statistics, and preservation policies that underpin repository management. Tenopir, Birch, & Allard (2011) ,highlight the critical role librarians play in supporting researchers with data management plans, ensuring that collected data is properly curated and deposited into repositories and strengthens the overall research ecosystem. Conclusion Data collection and repositories are interdependent pillars of LIS. Data collection ensures systematic gathering of information, while repositories provides the infrastructure for preservation and dissemination. Together, they advance scholarly communication, promote open access, and safeguard knowledge for future generations. References Borgman, C. L. (2015). Big data, little data, no data: scholarship in the networked world. MIT Press. Creswell J. W. & Creswell J. D. (2018).Research design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (5th ed).Sage Publication. Ravi, S., & Madhusuthanan, M. V. (2020). Institutional repositories in library and information science: a global view.International Journal of Library and Informationa Studies, 10(2), 45-60. Tenopir, C., Birch, B., &Allard, S. (2011). Academic libraries and research data services: Current practices and plans for future. Association of college and Research Libraries

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