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Recognizing, reporting and reducing the data curation debt of cohort studies.
Oliver W Butters1,2, Rebecca C Wilson1,2, Paul R Burton3
1Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Data curation debt, similar to technical debt, hinders the long-term usability of valuable cohort study data. Addressing this growing issue is crucial for the sustainability of research worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Data Science
- Research Management
Background:
- Effective data curation is essential for the longevity of cohort studies.
- Many studies do not maintain data curation to a sufficient standard.
- This can jeopardize the future accessibility and utility of research data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and define the concept of "data curation debt" in the context of cohort studies.
- To explore the causes, impacts, and potential solutions for data curation debt.
- To stimulate discussion among stakeholders on managing this critical issue.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual paper drawing parallels with software engineering's "technical debt."
- Analysis of UK cohort studies to illustrate data curation debt.
- Review of primary causes including hardware/software longevity, funding, and skills.
- Proposal of strategies for debt reduction and prevention.
Main Results:
- Data curation debt accrues interest and compounds over time, increasing its negative impact.
- Key causes include outdated technology, insufficient funding, and a shortage of skilled personnel.
- Failure to address data curation debt poses an existential risk to cohort studies.
Conclusions:
- Data curation debt is a significant, multi-faceted challenge for cohort studies globally.
- Recognizing and transparently reporting data curation debt is vital.
- Proactive strategies are needed to mitigate risks and ensure data longevity.
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