Information Studies Colloquium: The Landscape of Data Reuse in Information Retrieval: Motivations, Sources, and Evaluation of Reusability with Tianji Jiang

Abstract: 

Sharing and reusing research data can effectively reduce redundant efforts in data collection and curation, especially for small labs and research teams conducting human centered system research, and improve the replicability of evaluation experiments. Building a sustainable data reuse process and culture relies on frameworks that encompass policies, standards, roles, and responsibilities, all of which must address the diverse needs of data providers, curators, and reusers.

Previous studies have found that people’s data sharing and reuse practices differ by the research fields they are in, making it challenging to construct infrastructures that effectively support data sharing in interdisciplinary research communities. As part of his dissertation study, Tianji investigated the data reuse practices of experienced researchers in the field of Information Retrieval (IR), a typically interdisciplinary area where data sharing and reuse are common. This talk will present his preliminary findings from an interview study with 21 researchers from diverse demographic backgrounds, institutions, and career stages, focusing on their motivations, experiences, and concerns regarding data reuse.

Bio:

Tianji Jiang is a doctorate candidate in Information Studies at UCLA, advised by Professor Anne Gilliland. Before joining UCLA, he graduated with his B.M. in Information Management and Information System from Peking University, China in 2019.

Tianji’s research interests focus on research data management, data sharing and reuse, sociometric, academic library services, and digital humanities. He is particularly interested in building community capacity and knowledge infrastructure for data curation, sharing, and reuse through better understanding of people’s data behaviors. Currently he is working on his dissertation “Understanding data reuse practices of IR researchers”. He is also conducting several projects focused on developing tools and methods to identify various data behaviors (e.g., data sharing and data reuse) through bibliographic records.

Tianji Jiang is also working as a research and instruction technology consultant for UCLA Humanities Technology to provide technology support to research and instruction in the division of Humanities.