Types of Users at a Data Help Desk

The output of a data help desk can be used by various stakeholders across different levels of researchers. Here’s a breakdown of who might use the output:

Students (Undergraduate and Graduate)

  1. Research assistants: Students working on research projects may benefit from the data help desk’s guidance on data management, curation, and sharing.
  2. Lab members: Students participating in lab experiments or research projects may need assistance with data organization, storage, and retrieval.
  3. Research project participants: Students collecting and analyzing data for a research project may rely on the data help desk for advice on data quality, validation, and preservation.

Postdocs (Postdoctoral Researchers)

  1. Independent researchers: Postdocs working as independent researchers may use the data help desk to manage their own research projects, including data sharing and collaboration.
  2. Collaborators: Postdocs participating in collaborative research projects may rely on the data help desk for guidance on data management, curation, and sharing with colleagues.
  3. Mentees: Postdocs working under a senior researcher or PI may use the data help desk to seek advice on their own research projects.

Early Career Researchers (Principal Investigators, Group Leaders)

  1. New researchers starting their first independent project: Early career researchers may benefit from the data help desk’s guidance on setting up and managing their own research projects.
  2. Established researchers seeking expertise: Established researchers looking to expand their research portfolio or collaborate with others may use the data help desk for advice on data management, curation, and sharing.

Established Scientists (Senior Researchers)

  1. Research group leaders: Senior researchers leading established research groups may use the data help desk to manage complex research projects involving multiple datasets and collaborators.
  2. Collaborators with specific expertise: Established scientists collaborating with others who have specific expertise in data management, curation, or sharing may rely on the data help desk for guidance.
  3. Mentors and advisors: Senior researchers mentoring or advising junior researchers may use the data help desk to provide advice on research project management.