The main aim of this project was to examine and make recommendations on the role and career development of data scientists and the associated supply of specialist data curation skills to the research community.
The nomenclature that currently prevails is inexact and can lead to misunderstanding about the different data-related roles that exist. This report attempts to reconcile in section 3.1 the definitions offered by authoritative organisations and the practical experience of people working in the field. We distinguish four roles: data creator, data scientist, data manager and data librarian. We define them in brief as follows:
- Data Creator Researchers with domain expertise who produce data. These people may have a high level of expertise in handling, manipulating and using data
- Data Scientist People who work where the research is carried out – or, in the case of data centre personnel, in close collaboration with the creators of the data – and may be involved in creative enquiry and analysis, enabling others to work with digital data, and developments in data base technology
- Data Manager Computer scientists, information technologists or information scientists and who take responsibility for computing facilities, storage, continuing access and preservation of data
- Data Librarian People originating from the library community, trained and specialising in the curation, preservation and archiving of data
In practice, there is not yet an exact use of such terms in the data community, and the demarcation between roles may be blurred. It will take time for a clear terminology to become general currency. (PDF is at bottom of page, but you can also click HERE to access)
*I read this report over the weekend, and I thought it was a very interesting read! Well worth your time if you are interested in the future of the field, particularly as that future plays upon your job prospects.
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