Assessing models of stakeholder participation for the development and acceptance of the Australian Qualitative Archive

The successful development and operation of a data archive depends upon establishing a close relationship with its users. For qualitative data archiving, this involves engaging with researchers to address the specific issues arising from the distinct characteristics of qualitative data; to develop joint solutions to the ethical challenges of data re-use; to encourage researcher up-take of the archive; and to create opportunities for collaboration in areas such as the creation of metadata and data management planning. In the case of Indigenous archives, moreover, the user community is extended to include Indigenous communities as partners in the compilation and repatriation of knowledge and data. In this session, we reflect on the process of engaging with stakeholders and respecting researcher autonomy in the operation of three qualitative data archives: the UK's Qualidata; the Australian Qualitative Archive; and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Data Archive.