Biodiversity Data Management Project: Extending the Boundaries of Information Management in Collaboration with Life Scientists at the University of Otago

Abstract

The Otago Biodiversity Data Management Project investigated the feasibility of managing, curating and sharing University of Otago biodiversity research data. This article discusses how the Project came about and how a mixed methods approach (including interviews, a quantitative survey and desk-based research) was used to explore the issues of data management generally, and within the Life Sciences departments at the University of Otago, in particular. This Project is unique within New Zealand and has attracted considerable interest internationally; largely as a result of the researcher-driven, collaborative approach and also the discipline focus i.e. New Zealand biodiversity.