Using Dmp Evaluation To Strengthen Data Services At An R1 Institution: An Analysis of Nsf-Funded Research At Uta

University of Texas at Arlington is an R1 university with robust engineering and science programs and receives several million dollars in NSF funding each year. Librarians offer consultations and instruction on data management. To better understand current data management practices of UTA researchers and offer more tailored data services librarians conducted a project to evaluate DMPs for NSF grants awarded to UTA over the past two years. The overarching goal of this project is to champion the library as a resource for data research support and adapt existing data services to better fit the unique needs of the UTA researchers.

Methods: Librarians used the Data Management Plans as a Research Tool (DART) rubric, an IMLS-funded project, to evaluate DMPs against five criteria. Librarians analyzed the DMPs quantitatively and qualitatively to identify patterns and gaps against the 5 criteria provided by the DART: types of data produced, data standards, data access and sharing, plans reuse and redistribution, and data archiving and preservation. Librarians looked at 40 data management plans submitted to NSF between 2023 and 2025. The awarded grants ranged between $120,000 and $4.2 million across 16 UTA departments.

Results: Preliminary findings indicate several recurring challenges among researchers, including difficulties estimating data volume, insufficient detail regarding data retention and preservation plans, and limited articulation of data reuse policies or access limitations. These gaps highlight opportunities for targeted training, clearer guidance, and expanded consultation models.

Conclusion: Final results of this project will be used to adapt and strengthen existing data services that center faculty’s unique needs, strengths, and research foci. Future plans include developing institution-specific guidance on DMPTool and expanding data management planning workshops.