Data-Seeking Behaviour in the Social Sciences

Abstract Purpose Publishing research data for reuse has become good practice in recent years. However, not much is known on how researchers actually find said data. In this exploratory study, we observe the information-seeking behaviour of social scientists searching to reveal impediments and identify opportunities search infrastructure. Methods We asked 12 participants observed them their natural environment. The sessions were recorded. Afterwards, conducted semi-structured interviews get a thorough understanding way searching. From recordings, extracted interaction analysed spoken words both during task interview by creating affinity diagrams. Results found that literature more closely intertwined with dataset than previous suggests. Both itself relevance assessment are very complex, many different strategies employed, including creatively “misuse” existing tools, since no appropriate tools exist or unknown participants. Conclusion Many issues relate directly indirectly application FAIR principles, but some, like greater need literacy, go beyond that. infrastructure offered could be tailored tightly work processes, particularly offering interconnectivity between datasets, literature, other relevant materials.