Psychological Factors in Research Data Management

Data sharing and open science are increasingly emphasized as a means to increase transparency and reproducibility in science. Despite the consensus on the importance of research data management (RDM), the public availability of data sets remains limited, and researchers often fail to share data upon request. This study explores the psychological mechanisms underlying RDM intentions, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a framework. TPB, a prominent theory in psychology, links beliefs about behavior to intentions and actual behavior, taking into account attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. This paper applies the theory to RDM, addressing the ambivalence researchers experience towards data sharing, characterized by simultaneous positive and negative evaluations. Empirical analysis of a reused data set supports the existence of ambivalent attitudes towards data sharing. Furthermore, we provide insights from psychological literature as well as anecdotal evidence from practical RDM-service experience to discuss all three factors (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control). To address these factors in practice, we propose strategies for RDM staff and institutions, that emphasize transparent communication, supportive environments, and practical resources that pave the way for good RDM. However, addressing psychological factors concerning data publication can only overcome a small part of barriers to data sharing, and structural changes are needed first.