Investigating key areas and practices for research data management in China's research institutions

In the era of big data, research data plays a crucial role in assessing a nation's scientific and technological innovation. Effective research data management (RDM) ensures data quality, accessibility and reusability. Although progress has been made in data sharing and platform development, RDM practices in China are still under-researched. The aim of this study is to (i) identify the key areas within the RDM policies of Chinese research institutions and (ii) investigate the specific practices that support the implementation of RDM. A total of 44 RDM-related policies from research institutions listed in re3data were analyzed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff from 18 research data repositories to investigate the current RDM landscape in China. The results reveal four key RDM areas: IT infrastructure, metadata management, support services and financial support, covering 18 specific practice elements. Practical examples are provided and a comprehensive RDM framework is proposed, offering actionable insights to improve management strategies, refine policies and align Chinese RDM practices with international standards and public expectations.