c/o Katina Strauch Post Office Box 799 Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
VOLUME 33, NUMBER 1
FEBRUARY 2021 TM
“Linking Publishers, Vendors and Librarians”
ISSN: 1043-2094
Building the Data Epoch By Jeff Lang (Assistant Director, Platform Development at ACS Publications) <J_Lang@acs.org>
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his issue explores primary research data through projects and initiatives that aim to make data more plentiful and more useful. Most of us are awash in data about our physical & virtual activities, our health, our homes, etc., but actionable data can be hard to find. The same is true of researchers, like the ocean castaway surrounded by water but with nothing to drink. The reports in this issue describe efforts to help authors publish the data that will nourish tomorrow’s researchers. They paint a picture of research output that is less “book report” and more “diorama,” in which researchers are invited to touch, play and learn-by-doing in ways that far surpass the crude visuals of charts and graphs. None of these authors have kind
words about Supporting Information, as it exists today. So, they are building the Data Epoch; an era where authors can easily make their data available for reuse. In most of my discussions with research data enthusiasts, we inevitably reach the topic of carrots vs. sticks. Which one will encourage authors to publish their data or to make it more useful? Should funders, editors or any other esteemed group require authors to share ever more data through their publications? However, more isn’t always better. To receive grant funding today is to contend with data availability statements and deposition requirements. Big files are starting to fill repositories, but aren’t serving the greater purpose they were intended for. Instead, they’re glo-
If Rumors Were Horses
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reetings everyone! A new year has begun and all seems hopeful and optimistic! The Charleston Hub team has made many changes to welcome the new year!
So, What’s New, you might ask. Well first of all, the Charleston Conference and Against the Grain websites have been merged into the Charleston Hub. If you haven’t seen it, please visit us at www.charleston-hub.com/. We will continue publishing Against the Grain online and in print. The print ATG will be reduced to 64 pages and we’ll be experimenting with what should be included. Please let us know if you want to nominate some-
thing for print. All issues of ATG will be online and delivered electronically but the 64-page print issues will be embargoed on Charleston Hub for 6 months to non-subscribers. We know that most of you prefer online so this is an experiment, and we will see how it turns out! Thanks for your perseverance and patience with us. You will be receiving an email from Caroline Goldsmith explaining the subscriber and delivery options which are now available. A caveat: Katina Strauch is responsible for complaints so do let her know if you have some! <kstrauch@comcast.net> continued on page 6
rified backup systems. One could argue this is better than nothing because Science does need a backup system and authors are encouraged to think about the importance of their data. But the current publishing infrastructure does not allow for truly useful data. Even the data enthusiasts have to work hard to make their data useful upon publication. Much like a traditional product adoption curve (Wikipedia, n.d.), the enthusiasts are the innovators who continued on page 9
What To Look For In This Issue: Reader’s Roundup..................... 17 Legally Speaking........................ 28 The 2021 PROSE Awards........... 32 The Digital Toolbox................... 45 TOC for ATG Online Articles..... 46
Interviews Bob Hanson............................... 10 Meg White................................. 51 Tony O’Rourke........................... 53
Profiles Encouraged People, Library and Company Profiles...................................... 59 Plus more...................... See inside
1043-2094(202102)33:1;1-A