Elicitation of contexts for discovering clinical trials and related health data: An Interview Study

In this project, we investigated a range of data discovery contexts faced by clinical trials researchers, to better understand crucial factors that influence data discoverability and lead to data reuse. Our findings connect ways researchers both initiate personal data journeys and follow highly managed processes of data selection criteria. The project demonstrates the need for a holistic view in understanding data discovery approaches by clinical trials researchers.

Our findings suggest the significance of prioritising user information needs for selecting and using datasets. As using a dataset involves a complex process of conducting secondary data analysis within a research project, it is important for data repositories to focus on meeting the objectives of system design at this level, which go beyond the scope of traditional information retrieval systems such as online databases and search engines. Data repositories need to consider ways to specify their objectives of system design for the data discovery systems and services.