Research Data Management (RDM) in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Era: The Case for Academic Libraries

Introduction

The shifts in industrial revolution can be traced from the first industrial revolution in 1720-1840, the second industrial revolution in 1850-1914, and the third industrial revolution in 1960, to the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) (Hussain, 2019). The 4IR is building on the third industrial revolution with the aim of blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres with robust technologies (Xu, David, & Kim 2018). It is an advanced and higher level technological intelligence whereby everything is connected through a web based operating system such as Internet of Things (IoTs). By implication, the 4IR is regarded as new level of organization and control over the entire value chain of information products and services using digitalization, automation, cloud computing, robotic system, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and other technological advances. Recently, the 4IR received much attention in intellectual discourse across disciplines as it is changing how we live, work, and communicate. Hussain (2019) in assertion argues that the previous revolutions succeeded in solving problems related to library data storage through global library cooperative or networking but the 4IR has more interesting opportunities for the library community. It is introducing smarter ways of managing information resources to satisfy users’ information needs and to maintain relevance in contemporary climes. It could be rightly claimed that the 4IR enables libraries to become a virtual space connecting people to information globally through machines.

Many researchers, Xu, David, & Kim (2018); Hussain (2019) among others, argue that the 4IR presents a wide range of emerging technologies and innovations to transform everything, everywhere, including research and libraries. The breadth and depth of changes in information landscape brought by this revolution herald the transformation of research data management practices in terms of collection, preservation, storage, organization, and sharing of research data among interested users. The management of research data remains a strategic priority for academic institutions. They are trying to figure out the ways that research data should be supported, in terms of advice and training, infrastructure for storage, sharing, and curation among other aspects. It is pertinent that libraries as key stakeholders and librarians as key players acknowledge and embrace the benefits that come with the 4IR in order to enhance research data retrieval and dissemination.

The technological transition and implementation usually come with a lot of challenges and the case of 4IR is not different. The challenges cause a slowdown and unplanned process which make the adoption of technologies unachievable. This is common in most developing countries especially the African nations like Nigeria as Baro & Godfrey (2015); Akwang (2019) and others have confirmed. The situation is threatening the place of academic libraries as a system of knowledge in support of intensive and valued research activity, especially with the 4IR. A lot of factors could contribute to the situation including knowledge gap. Hence, this chapter seeks to bridge the gap by providing a systematic and content-centric review on the concept of Research Data Management; explaining the roles of academic libraries in RDM practices; identifying the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR); explaining the requirements supporting 4IR in academic libraries with emphasis on library physical environment, facilities, skills, policy, among others.