Librarians’ roles and responsibilities in managing data within academic libraries: A role-based data governance model

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

These findings are consistent with previous studies that position libraries as key actors in data governance and sustainability.

“These findings are consistent with previous studies that position libraries as key actors in data governance and sustainability.”

• cites Laskowski (2021) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Cox et al. (2019b) sourceSupported
• cites Hazmi et al. (2023) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Laskowski (2021) and Cox et al. (2019b) highlight librarians' roles in risk management, policy development, and compliance frameworks.

“Laskowski (2021) and Cox et al. (2019b) highlight librarians' roles in risk management, policy development, and compliance frameworks.”

• cites Laskowski (2021) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Cox et al. (2019b) sourcePartly supported

  The 'Reviewing the maturity model' section says RDM policy development is collaborative, while the 'Drivers and challenges' section identifies compliance with funder policy as a major driver of library services. These passages support librarians' involvement in policy-related work and compliance, but do not describe a risk-management role or say librarians develop compliance frameworks. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

While IT units manage infrastructure, librarians coordinate service-level functions, acting as knowledge orchestrators who connect people, systems, and data.

“While IT units manage infrastructure, librarians coordinate service-level functions, acting as knowledge orchestrators who connect people, systems, and data (Cox et al., 2019a(Cox et al., , 2019b)).”

• cites Cox et al., 2019a sourcePartly supported

  The Findings (page unavailable) say libraries typically led research-data service development, while IT services were usually involved but did not generally lead. The Introduction describes collaboration among libraries, IT, and research administration. Neither passage assigns infrastructure management to IT or describes librarians as orchestrators connecting people, systems, and data. (LLM, conf=0.85)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Cox et al., 2019b sourcePartly supported

  The service-development section reports that libraries mainly offered advisory services, and the literature review and discussion describe collaboration with IT centres and other campus units (page numbers unavailable). The paper does not establish the claimed division in which IT units manage infrastructure while librarians coordinate service-level functions, or characterize librarians as knowledge orchestrators connecting people, systems, and data. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

This aligns with Cox et al. (2017, 2019b) and Tang & Hu (2019), who describe librarians as facilitators and brokers.

“This aligns with Cox et al. (2017Cox et al. ( , 2019b) ) and Tang & Hu (2019), who describe librarians as facilitators and brokers.”

• cites Cox et al. (2017 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Cox et al., 2019b sourceSupported
• cites Tang & Hu (2019) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Previous studies confirm that libraries are increasingly adopting AI and related technologies, with librarians expected to complement rather than compete with these developments.

“Previous studies (Cox, 2022;Cox, Pinfield & Rutter, 2019;Noh, 2015) confirm that libraries are increasingly adopting AI and related technologies, with librarians expected to complement rather than compete with these developments.”

• cites Cox, 2022 sourcePartly supported

  Section 5 (AI and Academic Libraries) says AI-supported search has not removed the need for librarians' information-literacy work, supporting the idea that librarians can complement AI. But it finds little evidence of widespread take-up of some AI applications, and Section 8 (Conclusions) describes current adoption as low. The paper anticipates adaptation rather than confirming increasing adoption or an exclusively complementary relationship. (LLM, conf=0.88)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Cox, Pinfield & Rutter, 2019 sourcePartly supported

  The background discussion (p. 3) says some AI applications have already reached academic libraries, but AI is only just coming into focus there and broader adoption was projected for the future. The discussion of librarians’ roles describes ways they might work with AI, while also warning of possible replacement of library staff; it does not establish that librarians will complement rather than compete with it. (LLM, conf=0.86)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Noh, 2015 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

This integrated workflow aligns with previous studies that emphasise the continuous data lifecycle, including curation, preservation, and reuse, as well as the collaborative and interconnected nature of research data services.

“This integrated workflow aligns with previous studies that emphasise the continuous data lifecycle, including curation, preservation, and reuse, as well as the collaborative and interconnected nature of research data services (Cox, Pinfield & Rutter, 2019;Pratama, 2025).”

• cites Cox, Pinfield & Rutter, 2019 sourcePartly supported

  In the concluding passage (section “!”, page unavailable), the paper identifies data management, curation and stewardship as potential library roles. The Library Manager passage also describes working with academics to create usable datasets. These passages support aspects of interconnected research-data services, but they do not set out a continuous data lifecycle encompassing preservation and reuse. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Pratama, 2025 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Governance frameworks, lifecycle management, and data integrity are emphasised by Hazmi et al. (2023) and Huang et al. (2020).

“Governance frameworks, lifecycle management, and data integrity are further emphasised by Hazmi et al. (2023) and Huang et al. (2020), while maintaining data quality through metadata standards and sustained infrastructure is recognised as a core function of librarianship (Bishop et al., 2022;Dube, 2025;Ho et al., 2025;Rod, 2023).”

• cites Hazmi et al. (2023) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Huang et al. (2020) sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction and Literature Review describe a national research-data-management policy that assigns institutional responsibilities, supporting the governance-framework part of the claim. The Literature Review discusses data sharing, submission, and long-term preservation, but the passages do not establish an emphasis on lifecycle management as a whole or on data integrity. The cited paper is listed here as 2021, rather than 2020. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

There are broader calls for libraries to adopt data analytics technologies.

“However, adoption remains constrained by budget limitations (RU4D, paragraph 501; Dube, 2025), aligning with broader calls for libraries to adopt data analytics technologies (Cox, 2022;Shahzad et al., 2024).”

• cites Cox, 2022 sourcePartly supported

  Section 5 (page unavailable) discusses potential uses of AI for learning analytics and data-informed library decisions. Section 6 (page unavailable) examines ways academic libraries might adopt AI for knowledge discovery, but describes these as theoretical options, not broader calls for libraries to adopt data analytics technologies. (LLM, conf=0.82)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Shahzad et al., 2024Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

These four roles operate across the data lifecycle and support institutional reporting, research activities, and library operations.

“These roles operate across the data lifecycle and support institutional reporting, research activities, and library operations.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The data lifecycle is a valid framework for organising and interpreting librarians' data-related roles.

May combine two claims.

The coordinator role focuses on integrating data from multiple sources, ensuring consistency across workflows and facilitating collaboration within the institution.

“This role focuses on integrating data from multiple sources, ensuring consistency across workflows and facilitating collaboration within the institution.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Data stewardship focuses on storage, preservation, and controlled sharing.

“Data stewardship focuses on storage, preservation, and controlled sharing.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Librarians act as intermediaries between users, systems and institutional processes, supporting access to data and resolving system-related issues.

“Librarians also act as intermediaries between users, systems and institutional processes, supporting access to data and resolving system-related issues”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Librarians identify research strengths, publication trends, and usage patterns.

“They identify research strengths, publication trends, and usage patterns.”

May combine two claims.

Reporting practices are both scheduled and demand-driven.

“Reporting practices are both scheduled and demand-driven, reflecting the continuous and responsive nature of data work within institutional contexts.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Librarians implement policies, access controls and ethical guidelines to ensure responsible data use, with institutional systems applying tiered access and role-based permissions.

“Librarians implement policies, access controls and ethical guidelines to ensure responsible data use, with institutional systems applying tiered access and role-based permissions.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Librarians ensure that data and metadata meet required standards by verifying submissions and aligning outputs with institutional and national requirements.

“They also ensure that data and metadata meet required standards by verifying submissions and aligning outputs with institutional and national requirements”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Librarians transform data into meaningful outputs through analysis and reporting, including analysing publication trends, bibliometric indicators, and usage data to identify research strengths, evaluate resource usage, and inform institutional planning and performance evaluation.

“After preparation, librarians transform data into meaningful outputs through analysis and reporting: analysing publication trends, bibliometric indicators, and usage data to identify research strengths, evaluate resource usage, and inform institutional planning and performance evaluation.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Librarians organise and structure data to ensure accessibility and discoverability, including metadata management, standardisation and indexing practices aligned with recognised standards.

“Librarians also organise and structure data to ensure accessibility and discoverability.This includes metadata management, standardisation and indexing practices aligned with recognised standards”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

The combination of automated and manual data cleaning processes is time-consuming and often requires additional staff support for large datasets.

“This combination of automated and manual processes is time-consuming and often requires additional staff support for large datasets”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Storage arrangements varied across research universities and data types, with most using dedicated institutional repositories for research publication data.

“Storage arrangements varied across RUs and data types, with most using dedicated institutional repositories for research publication data.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Librarians expressed awareness of more advanced visualisation tools such as Power BI, though adoption remains constrained by budget and hardware limitations.

“Librarians expressed awareness of more advanced visualisation tools such as Power BI, though adoption remains constrained by budget and hardware limitations”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Custodianship involves digitising physical materials to enhance retrieval, preservation and integration across institutional platforms.

“In addition to metadata management, custodianship involves digitising physical materials to enhance retrieval, preservation and integration across institutional platforms.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Data cleaning involves correcting errors, standardising formats, and removing duplicates across systems.

“Data cleaning involves correcting errors, standardising formats, and removing duplicates across systems.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Librarians apply embargoes, control access, and respect researchers' decisions on sensitive data.

“They apply embargoes, control access, and respect researchers' decisions on sensitive data.”

May combine two claims.

Both automated tools and manual verification are required for data cleaning.

“Both automated tools and manual verification are required”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

RDM is not purely technical, but also organisational and collaborative.

“Consistent with Dube (2025), the findings show that RDM is not purely technical, but also organisational and collaborative.”

• cites Dube (2025) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Librarians maintain repositories, support system upgrades and manage data migration to ensure continued accessibility despite technological changes.

“Librarians maintain repositories, support system upgrades and manage data migration to ensure continued accessibility despite technological changes”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Librarians extract and clean data from sources such as Scopus and Web of Science, while also aligning outputs with institutional frameworks such as MyRA, KPIs, and university goals.

“They extract and clean data from sources such as Scopus and Web of Science, while also aligning outputs with institutional frameworks such as MyRA, KPIs, and university goals.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Librarians collect data from multiple sources and verify it with stakeholders, with data validation being a shared process led by the library.

“Librarians collect data from multiple sources and verify it with stakeholders, confirming that data validation is a shared process led by the library.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Several research universities are migrating from commercial to open-source library management systems, driven primarily by budget constraints, though such transitions require substantial migration and fine-tuning effort from librarians.

“Several RUs are migrating from commercial to open-source library management systems, driven primarily by budget constraints, though such transitions require substantial migration and fine-tuning effort from librarians.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Reporting constitutes a substantial part of librarians' workload, highlighting the centrality of data provision within academic libraries.

“The findings show that reporting constitutes a substantial part of librarians' workload, highlighting the centrality of data provision within academic libraries”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Coordination involves monitoring and quality control, with librarians identifying inconsistencies, validating datasets and correcting errors before data is used.

“Coordination also involves monitoring and quality control.Librarians identify inconsistencies, validate datasets and correct errors before data is used”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A key aspect of custodianship is ensuring long-term preservation and sustainability.

“A key aspect of custodianship is ensuring long-term preservation and sustainability.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Data curation involves ethical judgement, particularly in balancing open access with confidentiality.

“Data curation involves ethical judgement, particularly in balancing open access with confidentiality.”

May combine two claims.

The data provider role focuses on two main functions: data compilation for reporting and the provision of data services for research and development.

“This role focuses on two main functions: data compilation for reporting and the provision of data services for research and development.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

Librarians calculate ROI, justify budgets, and support benchmarking.

“They also calculate ROI, justify budgets, and support benchmarking.”

May combine two claims.

Librarians manage repositories, digital collections, and metadata systems, ensuring compliance with institutional and national standards.

“Librarians manage repositories, digital collections, and metadata systems, ensuring compliance with institutional and national standards.”

May combine two claims.

Storage practices remain inconsistent across units, with mixed approaches creating fragmentation and risks of data loss.

“However, storage practices remain inconsistent across units, with mixed approaches creating fragmentation and risks of data loss (Ashiq et al., 2021;Dube, 2025), highlighting a persistent gap between awareness and implementation.”

• cites Ashiq et al., 2021 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Dube, 2025 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

This expanded responsibility increases workload pressures and requires continuous professional development.

“However, this expanded responsibility also increases workload pressures and requires continuous professional development.”

May combine two claims.

Librarians in Academic Service divisions perform curation functions while also acting as data providers for MyRA reporting.

“Librarians in Academic Service divisions, for example, perform curation functions while also acting as data providers for MyRA reporting.”

May combine two claims.

Beyond storage, librarians digitise materials, manage infrastructure, ensure compliance, and support open science practices, aligning data management with frameworks such as MyRA, ISO standards, and open access mandates.

“Beyond storage, librarians digitise materials, manage infrastructure, ensure compliance, and support open science practices, aligning data management with frameworks such as MyRA, ISO standards, and open access mandates.”

May combine two claims.

Librarians preserve research outputs and institutional knowledge, ensuring long-term accessibility.

“Librarians also preserve research outputs and institutional knowledge, ensuring long-term accessibility.”

May combine two claims.

The data custodian role supports governance, data quality, and long-term sustainability.

“Similarly, the findings indicate that the data custodian role supports governance, data quality, and long-term sustainability.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

This study highlights a more active form of custodianship.

“This study highlights a more active form of custodianship.”

May combine two claims.

Through digitisation and structured indexing, librarians enhance discoverability and ensure research outputs remain accessible and reusable.

“Through digitisation and structured indexing, librarians enhance discoverability and ensure research outputs remain accessible and reusable.”

May combine two claims.

Librarians implement access control and authentication systems to protect sensitive data, manage embargoed materials, and enforce data sharing policies, supporting ethical data use.

“They implement access control and authentication systems to protect sensitive data, manage embargoed materials, and enforce data sharing policies, supporting ethical data use.”

May combine two claims.

Librarians gather, validate, and standardise data across units to ensure consistency and support reporting requirements such as MyRA, while also collaborating with research offices for assessments, KPI tracking, and strategic initiatives.

“Librarians gather, validate, and standardise data across units to ensure consistency and support reporting requirements such as MyRA, while also collaborating with research offices for assessments, KPI tracking, and strategic initiatives.”

May combine two claims.

Librarians bridge data and decision-making, researchers and administrators, and openness and security, with their work supporting budgeting, KPI tracking, and strategic planning.

“They bridge data and decision-making, researchers and administrators, and openness and security, with their work supporting budgeting, KPI tracking, and strategic planning.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Data cleaning, duplicate detection, and reporting currently rely heavily on manual intervention across disconnected platforms.

“Data cleaning, duplicate detection, and reporting currently rely heavily on manual intervention across disconnected platforms.”

May combine two claims.

Research data management in Malaysian research universities is progressing from planning to active implementation, with the growing number of research datasets across university repositories indicating an expanding operational role for librarians.

“Research data management in Malaysian research universities is progressing from planning to active implementation, with the growing number of research datasets across university repositories indicating an expanding operational role for librarians.”

May combine two claims.

Challenges remain: data practices are fragmented, storage systems are inconsistent, and workloads are increasing.

“However, challenges remain: data practices are fragmented, storage systems are inconsistent, and workloads are increasing, highlighting the need for stronger governance frameworks, integrated systems, and continuous professional development.”

May combine two claims.

The study highlights the strategic importance of librarians in supporting institutional performance through evidence-based decision-making, national assessments such as MyRA, and improved institutional visibility and accountability.

“The study also highlights the strategic importance of librarians in supporting institutional performance through evidence-based decision-making, national assessments such as MyRA, and improved institutional visibility and accountability.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The use of a hybrid deductive-inductive approach and CAQDAS supported systematic coding and strengthened the dependability of the findings.

“The use of a hybrid deductive-inductive approach and CAQDAS supported systematic coding and strengthened the dependability of the findings.”

May combine two claims.

Covering the full population of Malaysian research universities reduces institutional selection bias and supports cross-case comparison.

“Covering the full population of Malaysian RUs reduces institutional selection bias and supports cross-case comparison.”

May combine two claims.

Active research data repositories now exist across all five Malaysian research universities, hosting between 12 and 1,469 datasets each.

“Recent figures from the Malaysian Open Science Platform indicate that active research data repositories now exist across all five RUs, hosting between 12 and 1,469 datasets each”

• cites Malaysia Open Science Platform, 2026Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Participants and institutions were coded to ensure confidentiality.

“To ensure confidentiality, participants and institutions were coded.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The analysis was iterative, with themes refined across stages to enhance consistency and credibility.

“The analysis was iterative, with themes refined across stages to enhance consistency and credibility.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Governance activities are often discussed as part of broader research data management functions without clearly distinguishing specific custodial roles.

“However, governance activities are often discussed as part of broader RDM functions without clearly distinguishing specific custodial roles.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Research data management and data services have become core areas of library practice, encompassing data curation, metadata management, repository services, bibliometric analysis and data sharing.

“In response, research data management (RDM) and data services have become core areas of library practice, encompassing data curation, metadata management, repository services, bibliometric analysis and data sharing”

• cites Cox et al., 2017 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Schmidt & Shearer, 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Mani et al., 2021 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

All participants provided informed consent prior to participation.

“All participants provided informed consent prior to participation, in line with established qualitative research ethics”

• cites Creswell & Creswell, 2018Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Curated data flows into the data provider role for institutional reporting, while simultaneously enabling custodianship through structured storage and accessibility.

“Curated data flows into the data provider role for institutional reporting, while simultaneously enabling custodianship through structured storage and accessibility.”

May combine two claims.

Data curation serves as the foundation of the workflow, making curated data reliable and structured and forming the basis for both reporting and long-term preservation.

“Data curation serves as the foundation of this workflow.Through preparation, cleaning, standardisation and transformation, curated data becomes reliable and structured, forming the basis for both reporting and long-term preservation.”

May combine two claims.

Librarians act as knowledge architects who protect data integrity while enabling evidence-based decisions.

“Librarians therefore act as knowledge architects who protect data integrity while enabling evidencebased decisions.”

May combine two claims.

This reuse reflects a feedback relationship between individual academic outputs and institutional performance, where validated data supports both internal decision-making and external assessment requirements.

“This reflects a feedback relationship between individual academic outputs and institutional performance, where validated data supports both internal decision-making and external assessment requirements.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

By identifying and clearly defining these roles, the study offers a more structured conceptualisation of librarians' data-related responsibilities, which have previously been described in fragmented ways.

“By identifying and clearly defining these roles, this study offers a more structured conceptualisation of librarians' data-related responsibilities, which have previously been described in fragmented ways.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The roles and role-based data governance model identified in five Malaysian research universities are applicable to academic libraries more broadly.

May combine two claims.

Data curation is both technical and strategic.

“This demonstrates that data curation is both technical and strategic.”

May combine two claims.

The absence of unified data management policies means storage decisions are often made at unit level rather than institutionally, highlighting persistent governance gaps across institutional data infrastructures.

“However, the absence of unified data management policies means storage decisions are often made at unit level rather than institutionally, highlighting persistent governance gaps across institutional data infrastructures.”

May combine two claims.

Preserved data is reused for future reporting and institutional needs, creating a feedback loop between custodianship and data provision.

“Preserved data is reused for future reporting and institutional needs, creating a feedback loop between custodianship and data provision.”

May combine two claims.

The four roles are not performed independently but operate as an integrated and continuous workflow, with data moving across roles through both linear progression and cyclical feedback loops.

“The findings show that these roles are not performed independently but operate as an integrated and continuous workflow, with data moving across roles through both linear progression and cyclical feedback loops.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

The four roles are interconnected and often performed simultaneously.

“These roles are interconnected and often performed simultaneously.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reported accounts accurately reflect their actual data-related roles and practices.

May combine two claims.

The study extends prior work by showing that librarians act as both technical operators and strategic enablers.

“This study extends prior work by showing that librarians act as both technical operators and strategic enablers.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The roles and role-based data governance model identified in five Malaysian research universities are applicable to academic libraries more broadly.

May combine two claims.

Coordination operates across all roles as an integrating mechanism, aligning data across units, systems and stakeholders and ensuring consistency throughout all data activities.

“Coordination operates across all roles as an integrating mechanismaligning data across units, systems and stakeholders and ensuring consistency throughout all data activities.”

May combine two claims.

Rabasa and Abrizah (2022) and Ismail et al. (2024) emphasise librarians' roles in bibliometrics, metadata provision, and repository management, enabling structured, usable data for institutional purposes.

“Rabasa and Abrizah (2022) and Ismail et al. (2024) further emphasise librarians' roles in bibliometrics, metadata provision, and repository management, enabling structured, usable data for institutional purposes.”

• cites Rabasa and Abrizah (2022)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Ismail et al. (2024) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

This aligns with prior studies highlighting librarians' involvement in institutional reporting and data services.

“This aligns with prior studies highlighting librarians' involvement in institutional reporting and data services (Ahmed & Othman, 2021;Amanullah & Abrizah, 2023;Cox, 2018).”

• cites Ahmed & Othman, 2021 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Amanullah & Abrizah, 2023 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Cox, 2018 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Scheduled reports support routine monitoring, while customised reports address specific needs.

“Scheduled reports support routine monitoring, while customised reports address specific needs.”

May combine two claims.

Standardised and verified data enable preservation and reuse, while governance practices build trust in institutional data systems.

“Standardised and verified data enable preservation and reuse, while governance practices build trust in institutional data systems.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Strong curation underpins custodianship.

“Strong curation underpins custodianship.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Accurate reporting depends on strong data curation, where verified data ensures reliability and supports institutional decisions.

“Accurate reporting depends on strong data curation, where verified data ensures reliability and supports institutional decisions.”

May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

Librarians' extensive involvement in institutional assessment and reporting across frameworks such as MyRA and SETARA, alongside emerging responsibilities in RDM, is reflected by data-related tasks constituting approximately 90% of workloads.

“The finding that data-related tasks constitute approximately 90% of some librarians' workloads (RU4C, paragraph 61) reflects their extensive involvement in institutional assessment and reporting across frameworks such as MyRA and SETARA, alongside emerging responsibilities in research data management.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Maintaining data quality through metadata standards and sustained infrastructure is recognised as a core function of librarianship.

“Governance frameworks, lifecycle management, and data integrity are further emphasised by Hazmi et al. (2023) and Huang et al. (2020), while maintaining data quality through metadata standards and sustained infrastructure is recognised as a core function of librarianship (Bishop et al., 2022;Dube, 2025;Ho et al., 2025;Rod, 2023).”

• cites Bishop et al., 2022 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Dube, 2025 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Ho et al., 2025Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The findings contribute to the literature by proposing a role-based data governance model that conceptualises librarians' data responsibilities as an integrated workflow, demonstrating how these roles are distinct and interconnected, and how data flows across them from curation to reporting and preservation, and back through reuse.

“The findings contribute to the literature by proposing a role-based data governance model that conceptualises librarians' data responsibilities as an integrated workflow, demonstrating not only how these roles are distinct and interconnected, but also how data flows across them from curation to reporting and preservation, and back through reuse.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Adoption of automated deduplication, metadata harvesting, and integrated repository management would reduce this burden, while dashboard tools such as Power BI could replace manual report compilation for real-time institutional decision-making.

“Adoption of automated deduplication, metadata harvesting, and integrated repository management would reduce this burden, while dashboard tools such as Power BI could replace manual report compilation for real-time institutional decision-making.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

This shift requires new competencies in metadata, analytics, policy compliance, data ethics, and systems, alongside continuous professional development.

“This shift requires new competencies in metadata, analytics, policy compliance, data ethics, and systems, alongside continuous professional development.”

May combine two claims.

Findings may not be applicable to non-research universities, private institutions, or libraries in other countries with different governance models or levels of infrastructure maturity.

“Findings may not be applicable to non-research universities, private institutions, or libraries in other countries with different governance models or levels of infrastructure maturity.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Malaysian public Research Universities have similar data management structures and MOHE policy frameworks.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

By conceptualising their responsibilities as an integrated governance workflow, this study provides a clearer foundation for understanding, strengthening, and sustaining data-related work in academic libraries.

“By conceptualising their responsibilities as an integrated governance workflow, this study provides a clearer foundation for understanding, strengthening, and sustaining data-related work in academic libraries.”

May combine two claims.

By explicitly conceptualising how data move across roles within institutional contexts, this study advances a workflow-oriented perspective and proposes a role-based data governance model for academic libraries, extending lifecycle-oriented arguments presented by Schmidt et al. (2023).

“By explicitly conceptualising how data move across roles within institutional contexts, this study advances a workflow-oriented perspective and proposes a role-based data governance model for academic libraries, extending lifecycleoriented arguments presented by Schmidt et al. (2023).”

• cites Schmidt et al. (2023) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

This study further extends existing literature by explicitly conceptualising the flow of data across roles, highlighting how curation initiates the workflow and how data move between roles through a continuous feedback loop between reuse and reporting within institutional contexts.

“However, this study further extends existing literature by explicitly conceptualising the flow of data across roles, highlighting how curation initiates the workflow and how data move between roles through a continuous feedback loop between reuse and reporting within institutional contexts.”

May combine two claims.

Curated data flows into the data provider role for reporting and strategic use, while also supporting custodianship by enabling long-term storage and reuse.

“Curated data flows into the data provider role for reporting and strategic use, while also supporting custodianship by enabling long-term storage and reuse.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The structural similarities among the five RUs may have limited the observed variation in role configurations.

“The structural similarities among the five RUs may have limited the observed variation in role configurations.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

This function is embedded in all activities.

“This function is embedded in all activities.”

May combine two claims.

Data curation serves as the starting point, enabling both reporting and preservation.

“Data curation serves as the starting point, enabling both reporting and preservation.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

This extends existing research by clarifying the governance dimension embedded in librarians' data work and addressing the limited attention given to role interconnections in earlier studies.

“This extends existing research by clarifying the governance dimension embedded in librarians' data work and addressing the limited attention given to role interconnections in earlier studies.”