@article{3400c7b0170d4d8cb1f6458e2db6b7db,
title = "The central role of metadata in a science data literacy course",
abstract = "Science research is increasingly computer and network enabled and referred to as e-science. The change has had an impact on the information environment in which scientists across disciplines operate to conduct their research. This paper reports on an NSF funded project at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies (2007-2009) that examined this changing environment and directed specific attention to digital data management practices. A local faculty survey of data management practices and attitudes was conducted, as was a scan of related courses at peer institutions. Knowledge about data management in e-science was used to design a new course addressing data-related literacy for science students and teach them skills for managing data created as part of the scientific research process. Through out the project, metadata proved to have a central role in how scientists operate in the e-science information environment and to be a key component of data literacy in the e-science environment.",
keywords = "Course design, Escience, Metadata standards, Science data management, Survey",
author = "Jian Qin and John D'ignazio",
note = "Funding Information: In an effort to address the challenge in changing e-science research and the needs noted above, we created the Science Data Literacy (SDL) project, during which we designed and taught the Science Data Management (SDM) course at the Syracuse University (SU) School of Information Studies (iSchool) in the spring semesters of 2008 and 2009. Our project was supported starting in spring 2007 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Course, Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) program designated to improve science education for undergraduate students. This article reports the SDL project{\textquoteright}s guiding principle and two approaches that led to the design of a science data management course in which metadata played a central role. Significant SDL project efforts went toward raising awareness about the iSchool course on two neighboring campuses in order to entice science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate SU or State University of New York-Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) students to enroll. It proved difficult to attract the target students—iSchool students were the substantial majority of enrollees and the enrollment both semesters included graduate students. Funding Information: This article is part of the result of the Scientific Data Literacy project funded by NSF (Award No. DUE-0633447).",
year = "2010",
doi = "10.1080/19386389.2010.506379",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "10",
pages = "188--204",
journal = "Journal of Library Metadata",
issn = "1938-6389",
publisher = "Taylor and Francis Ltd.",
number = "2-3",
}