The implementation of data curation framework in the government: a systematic literature review

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the implementation and challenges of government-related data curation. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from the SCOPUS database. This study uses a systematic literature review using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Findings This study discovered that government agencies and researchers in the reviewed papers seldom develop and explain data curation plans proactively. Government agencies and researchers engage in data collaboration with both national and international agencies. They rectify any missing and erroneous data within their institutions and projects, ensuring its accuracy, and proceed to update, compare and validate the data. Health-care data assurance is the most stringent due to the confidentiality of patient data. Government agencies and researchers use analysed data to create visual representations. Specific organisations grant unrestricted access to open data, while others limit its availability. Data curation related to government in the reviewed articles faces challenges related to data standardisation, data quality, lack of resources, funding, skills and regulations. Research limitations/implications Since this study uses a systematic literature review as a method, it does not reflect the general practices of data curation in government agencies, which are not published and indexed in the SCOPUS database. Practical implications Policymakers could use these findings to promote mandatory data protection policies and standardised guidelines for different data types. This would promote ethical and legal data management and public trust in government data and projects. Data curation training can improve government agency staffs and researchers’ skills and practices. Originality/value While other studies focus on data curation in libraries, this study focuses on government-related data curation.