HMC Community Survey 2021
Metadata annotation guarantees sustainability of research data as it ensures their long-term findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability. Within the Helmholtz Association, the Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC) coordinates the mission to enrich Helmholtz-based research data with metadata by providing (information about) technical solutions, consultations and ensuring uniform scientific standards for the use of metadata.
In 2021 HMC conducted its first community survey to align its services with the needs of Helmholtz researchers. A question catalogue, with 49 (sub-)questions based on an expertise-adaptive approach, was designed and disseminated among researchers in all six Helmholtz research fields. 631 completed survey replies were obtained for analysis.
The HMC Community Survey 2021 provides insight into the management of research data as well as the data publication practices of researchers in the Helmholtz Association. The characterization of research-field-dependent communities will enable HMC to further develop targeted, community-driven support for the documentation of research data with metadata.