Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 IT Management Associate Professor, Department of Information Technology, Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc)
2 PhD in Information Science and Knowledge Studies Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc)
Abstract
Purpose: This study explores the perspectives of graduate students who use the National System for Registration of Theses, Dissertations, and Proposals (NSRTDP) toward uploading digital research data and source code of their academic works to the Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc), and granting open access to these materials.
Methodlogy: Employing a quantitative survey design, data were collected from a sample of 449 NSRTDP users via an online questionnaire. The responses were analyzed using SPSS software.
Findlings: Less than half of the respondents supported the uploading of digital research data (45%) and source codes (39%) of TDs to IranDoc along with their registration, with many expressing reluctance or uncertainty. However, more than half of those who agreed to upload digital data (72.3%) and source codes (73.7%) also supported immediate open access to these materials post-upload. Notably, most respondents who initially opposed immediate open access to their digital data and computer codes expressed agreement after a 12-month period.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for further investigation into the factors shaping students’ willingness to upload and share digital research outputs. They also underscore the importance of developing robust technical infrastructure to support such initiatives. These steps are essential for revising national science policy, advancing open science principles, aligning with international standards, and fostering Iran’s participation in the global open science movement.
Value: This study is the first to examine graduate students’ perspectives on uploading digital research data and source code to IranDoc and open access to these resources.
Keywords
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