Initial user survey interviews to understand chemists' data handling needs were conducted with selected synthetic chemistry
research leaders. Although the potential value of repository-based preservation was appreciated, these discussions
indicated a clear reluctance to consider their use unless an embargo procedure (with deposition of data in an embargo
repository before controlled release to an Open Access facility) was available. This became an important
focus for subsequent data management policy in the project.
Subsequently, extensive voluntary surveying of research chemists (postgraduate students, postdoctoral workers
and academic staff) was conducted at the Chemistry Departments of both Imperial College London and the
University of Cambridge. In order to evaluate their current use of computers and the Internet, and also
to identify specific data needs, a questionnaire of 28 parts was devised
A representative response of 22% was achieved. Analysis of the questionnaire results, with a limited follow-up survey of user-requirements for the
NMR data deposition tool, was presented as an appendix to the
Project Final Report.
