This file was generated on 2026-05-26 by Christian Bittner


A GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Title of the dataset: User Survey on Research Data Management Consultation Services, 2023–2025 - Conducted by the Research Data Service Center of the University of Bonn

2. Brief description of the research project and its aims:
This dataset contains the anonymized survey data, CSV exports, questionnaire files, and analysis scripts associated with a user satisfaction survey conducted by the Research Data Service Center (Servicestelle Forschungsdaten, SFD) at the University of Bonn between 2023 and 2025. The survey investigated researchers’ experiences with research data management (RDM) consultation services, including consultation topics, satisfaction, perceived usefulness, and suggestions for improvement.

The dataset includes the original CSV exports from the bilingual (German and English) online survey conducted via the eCampus/ILIAS platform, as well as the Python Jupyter Notebook used for data preparation, analysis, and visualization. In addition, the dataset contains the original survey definition and import files for the ILIAS survey module, enabling the questionnaire to be reproduced, reused, or adapted for future surveys.

A detailed methodological description of the survey design, sampling procedure, questionnaire structure, and data processing workflow is provided in the related publication: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20411709 

3. Author Information
Name: Christian Bittner
Institution: University of Bonn, Research Data Service Center 
Address: University and State Library Bonn, Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 4, 53115 Bonn
Email: researchdata@uni-bonn.de

4. Date of data collection: 
2024-2026

5. Information about funding sources that supported the collection of the data: 
N/A

6. Language of the dataset:
German & English

7. Geographic location of data collection: 
Bonn, Germany

8. Dataset DOI: https://doi.org/10.60507/FK2/DOCM9T

B DATA & FILE OVERVIEW

1. File List: 

Survey responses collected in the respective survey year. Participants were researchers who had received research data management consultation services from the Research Data Service Center during the preceding year.

Responses in German Language: 
- survey-data\Nutzer_innenbefragung_Servicestelle_Forschungsdaten_2026.csv
Responses in English language: 
- survey-data\Research_Data_Service_Center_User_Survey_2026.csv

Python Jupyter Notebook used for data preparation, analysis, and visualization:
- jupyter-notebook\RDSC_User_Survey_2026.ipynb

ILIAS survey import files in German (de) and English (en) language
 - ILIAS-survey\de\1777972191__5091__svy_3610449.zip
 - ILIAS-survey\en\1778066424__5091__svy_3613945.zip

2. Are there multiple versions of the dataset? no
	
3. Relationship between files : 
The CSV survey exports constitute the primary research data.
The Jupyter Notebook was used to clean, harmonize, analyze, and visualize
the survey data. The ILIAS import/export files enable reproduction or reuse of the
survey instrument.

4. Additional related data collected that was not included in the current data package:
N/A


C SHARING/ACCESS INFORMATION

1. Was data derived from another source? no 

2. Licenses/restrictions placed on the data: 
CC0 1.0 Universal

3. Links to publications that cite or use the data:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20411709

4. Links to other publicly accessible locations of the data: N/A

5. Links/relationships to ancillary datasets: N/A



D METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION

1. Description of methods used for collection/generation of data: 
The survey was conducted using the survey module of the eCampus/ILIAS
platform at the University of Bonn. The questionnaire consisted of 13
questions combining single-choice, multiple-choice, matrix-style, and
open-ended free-text responses. Both German and English survey versions
were provided.
Potential participants were identified from internal consultation records
of the Research Data Service Center. Researchers who had received
consultation services between 2023 and 2025 were contacted via email.
Duplicate contacts and indirect consultation cases mediated through
administrative or service units were removed prior to invitation.
A total of 219 researchers were invited to participate. The survey
received 79 responses, corresponding to a response rate of approximately
36%.

2. Methods for processing the data: 
The original survey exports from eCampus/ILIAS were cleaned and harmonized
within the provided Jupyter Notebook. German and English responses were
aggregated for descriptive statistical evaluation and visualization.
Open-ended responses were qualitatively grouped and discussed. See related report for further information: 

3. Instrument- and/or software-specific information needed to interpret the data: 
- Survey platform: ILIAS Version 8.26 / eCampus survey module
- Analysis environment: Python 3 Jupyter Notebook; Main Python libraries: pandas, numpy, matplotlib


E DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR:

1. Survey Data in German Language: Nutzer_innenbefragung_Servicestelle_Forschungsdaten_2026.csv

1.1 Variable list including full names and definitions of column headings for tabular data: 

Last Name, First Name, Login: fully anonymized columns on personal information
Working time: time spend answering the survey, in seconds
Survey finished: timestamp of survey completion; if unfinished: "-"
Hinweis auf SFD: survey question 1 (Wie sind Sie auf die Servicestelle Forschungsdaten aufmerksam geworden?)
Suchmaschine (Google etc.): survey question 1, answer option 1
	Verlinkung von Webseiten der Universität: question 1, answer option 2
	Rundschreiben oder Infomail aus der Universität : question 1, answer option 3
	Hinweis von Kolleg*innen: question 1, answer option 4
	Teilnahme an Schulung: question 1, answer option 5
	Flyer der Servicestelle: question 1, answer option 6
	Andere: question 1, answer option 7
		Andere.1: question 1, answer option 7, optional free-text response
	ich kann mich nicht erinnern: question 1, answer option 8
Fachhintergrund: survey question 2 (Welcher wissenschaftlichen Fachrichtung lässt sich Ihre Forschung (überwiegend) zuordnen?)
	Geisteswissenschaften: option 1 for question 2
	Lebenswissenschaften: option 2 for question 2
	Naturwissenschaften: option 3 for question 2
	Sozialwissenschaften: option 4 for question 2
	Keiner dieser Fachrichtungen: option 5 for question 2
Projektstadium: survey question 3 (In welchem Stadium befand sich das Vorhaben bzw. der Arbeitszusammenhang, für den Sie FDM-Beratung gesucht haben?)
	response options (strings): 
		1: In der Konzept- / Planungsphase (vor Antragstellung bzw. Beginn) 
		2: Am Anfang der Realisierungsphase (kurz nach Beginn des Vorhaben) 
		3: In der Mitte der Realisierungsphase (Umsetzung des Arbeitsprogramms) 
		4: In der Abschlussphase (Ergebnissicherung und Transfer) 
		5: Nach Projektende (nach Abschluss oder Ablauf der Förderung) 
		6: Keine Angabe oder nicht zutreffend 
	Projektstadium.1: integer representation of response options for question 3
FDM-Themen: survey question 4: (Zu welchen Themen des Forschungsdatenmanagements haben Sie damals Beratung oder Informationen gesucht?)
	Erstellung eines Datenmanagementplans: option 1 for question 4
	Darstellung von FDM in einem Forschungsantrag: option 2 for question 4
	Datensicherung, Backup: option 3 for question 4
	Werkzeuge für das FDM: option 4 for question 4
	Bereitstellung von Daten-Infrastruktur (Server, Speicher): option 5 for question 4
	Organisation von Forschungsdaten: option 6 for question 4
	Dokumentation von Forschungsdaten: option 7 for question 4
	Erstellung von Metadaten oder Suche nach Metadatenstandards: option 8 for question 4
	Archivierung und Langzeitspeicherung von Forschungsdaten: option 9 for question 4
	Publikation von Forschungsdaten: option 10 for question 4
	Rechtsfragen (Urheberrecht, Datenschutz usw.): option 11 for question 4
	Anderes: option 12 for question 4
		Anderes.1: option 12 for question 4 - optional free-text response
Reaktionszeit: survey question 5: (Wie empfanden Sie die Reaktionszeit der Servicestelle auf Ihre Anfrage nach Unterstützung?)
	response options (strings):
		1: sehr schnell
		2: angemessen
		3: etwas verzögert
		4: sehr verzögert
		5: ich kann mich nicht erinnern
	Reaktionszeit.1: integer representation of response options for question 5
Beratungserlebnis: survey question 6 (Wie haben Sie die Beratung oder Information der Servicestelle zu Ihrem FDM-Anliegen erlebt?)
	response options for sub-questions:
		1: voll und ganz
		2: im Wesentlichen ja
		3: teilweise
		4: eher weniger
		5: gar nicht
		6: keine Angabe
	sub-questions:
		hat mein Anliegen ernst genommen: see response-options above
			hat mein Anliegen ernst genommen.1: integer representation of response options
		hat sich in den Hintergrund meines Anliegens hineingedacht: see response-options above
			hat sich in den Hintergrund meines Anliegens hineingedacht.1: integer representation of response options
		hat mir brauchbare Hinweise für das Finden eigener Lösungen an die Hand gegeben: see response-options above
			hat mir brauchbare Hinweise für das Finden eigener Lösungen an die Hand gegeben.1: integer representation of response options
		hat mich an kompetente, für mein Anliegen besser geeignete Stellen vermittelt: see response-options above
			hat mich an kompetente, für mein Anliegen besser geeignete Stellen vermittelt.1: integer representation of response options
		hat mein Handlungswissen über FDM erweitert: see response-options above
			hat mein Handlungswissen über FDM erweitert.1: integer representation of response options
Problemlösung: survey question 7 (Haben Sie am Ende Ihr Anliegen bezüglich FDM befriedigend lösen können?)
	response options (strings):
		1: voll und ganz
		2: in den wichtigen Aspekten ja
		3: wichtige Aspekte blieben ungelöst
		4: ganz und gar nicht
	Problemlösung.1: integer representation of response options for question 6
Ungelöste Aspekte: survey question 8 (Falls zutreffend: welche Aspekte Ihres Anliegens bezüglich FDM konnten am Ende nicht befriedigend gelöst werden?)
	free-text responses as strings
Zufriedenheit: survey question 9 (Wie zufrieden waren Sie insgesamt mit der Unterstützung der Servicestelle zur Lösung Ihres FDM-Anliegens?)
	response options (strings):
		1: sehr zufrieden
		2: zufrieden
		3: eher unzufrieden
		4: sehr unzufrieden
	Zufriedenheit.1: integer representation of response options for question 7
Empfehlung: survey question 10 (Würden Sie Ihren Kolleg(inn)en die Nutzung der Servicestelle für FDM-Fragen empfehlen?)
	response options (strings):
		1: ja, auf jeden Fall
		2: unter Umständen
		3: tendenziell eher nicht
		4: nein, auf keinen Fall
	Empfehlung.1: integer representation of response options for question 10
Verbesserungsbedarf: survey question 11 (Bei welchen Punkten sehen Sie Verbesserungsbedarf für die Arbeit der Servicestelle?)
	free-text responses as strings
Positives: survey question 12 (Bei welchen Punkten haben Sie die Arbeit der Servicestelle als positiv erlebt?)
	free-text responses as strings
FDM-Services: survey question 13 (Für welche Aspekte der FDM-Thematik in Ihrem Arbeitsfeld sollten Angebote gemacht werden?)
	free-text responses as strings

2. Survey Data in English Language: Research_Data_Service_Center_User_Survey_2026.csv

2.1 Variable list including full names and definitions of column headings for tabular data: 	

Last Name, First Name, Login: fully anonymized columns on personal information
Working time: time spend answering the survey, in seconds
Survey finished: timestamp of survey completion; if unfinished: "-"
Awareness: survey question 1 (1.	How did you become aware of the Research Data Service Center?)
	Search engine (Google, etc.): survey question 1, answer option 1
	Links on university websites: question 1, answer option 2
	Circular or info email from the university : question 1, answer option 3
	Advice from colleagues: question 1, answer option 4
	Information at training events: question 1, answer option 5
	research Data Service Center flyer: question 1, answer option 6
	Other: question 1, answer option 7
		Other.1: question 1, answer option 7, optional free-text response
	I cannot remember : question 1, answer option 8
Discipline: survey question 2 (2.	Which scientific discipline can your research (mostly) be assigned to?)
	Humanities: option 1 for question 2
	Life Sciences: option 2 for question 2
	Natural Sciences: option 3 for question 2
	Social Sciences: option 4 for question 2
	None of these disciplines: option 5 for question 2
Project stage: survey question 3 (At what stage was the project or work context for which you sought research data management (RDM) advice?)
	response options (strings): 
		1: In the conceptual/planning phase 
		2: At the beginning of the implementation phase 
		3: In the middle of the implementation phase 
		4: In the completion phase 
		5: After the end of the project 
		6: No information or not applicable 
	Project stage.1: integer representation of response options for question 3
RDM issues: survey question 4: (What aspects of RDM did you seek advice or information on at that time?)
	Creation of a data management plan: option 1 for question 4
	Presentation of RDM in a research proposal: option 2 for question 4
	Data backup and security: option 3 for question 4
	Tools for RDM: option 4 for question 4
	Available/desired data infrastructure (servers, storage): option 5 for question 4
	Organization of research data: option 6 for question 4
	Documentation of research data: option 7 for question 4
	Creating metadata or finding Metadata standards: option 8 for question 4
	Archiving and long-term storage of research data: option 9 for question 4
	Publication of research data: option 10 for question 4
	Legal issues (copyright, data protection, etc.): option 11 for question 4
	Other: option 12 for question 4
		Other.1: option 12 for question 4 - optional free-text response
Response time: survey question 5: (How did you experience the response time of the Service Center to your request for support?)
	response options (strings):
		1: very fast
		2: appropriate
		3: somewhat delayed
		4: very delayed
		5: I don't remember
	Response time.1: integer representation of response options for question 5
Consultation experience: survey question 6 (How did you experience the advice or information provided by the Service Center on your RDM issue?)
	response options for sub-questions:
		1: completely
		2: essentially yes
		3: partly
		4: rather less
		5: not at all
		6: not applicable
	sub-questions:
		took my issue seriously: see response-options above
			took my issue seriously.1: integer representation of response options
		understood the background of my issue: see response-options above
			understood the background of my issue.1: integer representation of response options
		provided me with useful advice for finding my own solutions: see response-options above
			provided me with useful advice for finding my own solutions.1: integer representation of response options
		referred me to competent entities that were better suited to handle my issue: see response-options above
			referred me to competent entities that were better suited to handle my issue.1: integer representation of response options
		expanded my knowledge of RDM practices: see response-options above
			expanded my knowledge of RDM practices.1: integer representation of response options
Problem solving: survey question 7 (7.	Were you able to satisfactorily resolve your RDM issue in the end?)
	response options (strings):
		1: yes, completely
		2: yes, in the important aspects
		3: no, important aspects remained unsolved
		4: no, not at all
	Problem solving.1: integer representation of response options for question 6
unsolved aspects: survey question 8 (If applicable: what aspects of your RDM issue remained unresolved?)
	free-text responses as strings
Satisfaction: survey question 9 (How satisfied were you overall with the support provided by the Service Center in addressing your RDM request?)
	response options (strings):
		1: very satisfied
		2: satisfied
		3: rather dissatisfied
		4: very dissatisfied
	Satisfaction.1: integer representation of response options for question 7
Recommendation: survey question 10 (Would you recommend the use of the Service Center for RDM questions to your colleagues?)
	response options (strings):
		1: yes, definitely
		2: possibly
		3: rather not
		4: no, definitely not
	Recommendation.1: integer representation of response options for question 10
Improvement: survey question 11 (In which areas do you see a need for improvement in the work of the Service Center?)
	free-text responses as strings
Positive: survey question 12 (In which areas have you experienced the work of the Service Center as positive?)
	free-text responses as strings
RDM-Services: survey question 13 (What aspects of RDM in your discipline / field of work should be addressed, eg. what specific solutions should be provided?)
	free-text responses as strings

2. Missing data codes/symbols: 
N/A