Research Data Production and Archiving Patterns in Kenya: An Informetric Analysis of Dimensions Database

With the increasing recognition and emphasis among stakeholders on practical research data management practices, understanding the production and archiving patterns is critical for countries like Kenya, which is still in the infancy stage of adoption. This study aimed to gain insights into Kenya’s research data production and archiving patterns to identify early adopters of data management and act as benchmarks. The informetrics analysis was done. Forty-five thousand seven hundred thirty-seven datasets were archived in the Dimensions database from 1952 to 2023. The datasets were retrieved and analysed based on key metadata attributes, such as publication year, discipline, publisher and country affiliation, to establish trends in research data production and archiving over time. Analysis was done using the database’s built-in Almetrics app and Microsoft Excel to provide insights into the production and archival patterns of research data. The study established that the earliest Kenya-related dataset in the Dimensions database dates back to 1952, but a significant portion of the datasets archived were produced between 2014 and 2023. Earth and biological sciences accounted for the most archived datasets, while physical sciences had the least. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility data repository was identified as the top publisher, while The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) emerged as the leading Kenyan institution contributing datasets to the Dimensions database. About half of the datasets associated with Kenya were produced by researchers and institutions from other countries, like the USA, UK, and Japan, while Kenyan researchers and institutions produced the other half. The study recommends establishing a comprehensive framework to enhance research data management within Kenyan institutions.