Challenges in ensuring metadata quality in institutional academic repositories: a qualitative study in Turkish research universities

Purpose This study aims to identify the challenges in ensuring data quality in the process of identifying metadata of resources in the institutional academic repositories (IARs) of research universities in Türkiye. Design/methodology/approach In this study, data were collected through semistructured interviews using a qualitative methodology. A total of 18 authorized personnel responsible for IAR systems at research universities in Türkiye were interviewed via telephone and online methods, as well as in person. The interviews covered technical, administrative and organizational aspects of information source identification and control processes, as well as demographic data of the interviewees. Based on the responses, 2 main themes, 16 subthemes and 39 codes were developed. Audio and video recordings from the interviews were analyzed, and frequency tables were created to present the findings by themes, subthemes and codes. Findings This study explores the challenges in identifying information resources within IARs at Turkish research universities, focusing on metadata quality from the user experience perspective. The findings reveal that the primary issue in ensuring metadata quality is the need for training. Other key challenges include software issues, lack of audit and control mechanisms, negative user attitudes, insufficient staff, limited knowledge and awareness of data management processes, absence of national-level standards and inadequate formal workflow procedures and metadata policies. These factors collectively hinder effective metadata management in research universities’ IAR systems. Originality/value The results of this study have theoretical and practical implications for similar studies addressing the problems of metadata identification in IARs. The study provides insight into the current state of IARs by addressing metadata identification issues regarding the completeness, consistency and accuracy of resources in IARs in the system. Therefore, it focuses on metadata identification problems in Türkiye, encourages in-depth research on the topic and provides some suggestions for future research.