Institutional Policy and Researchers’ Adoption of Data Management Plans in an Agricultural Research Institution (A Case Study of IITA, Nigeria)

Abstract

Agricultural researchers generate huge amounts of research data, and managing these data effectively is crucial to ensuring the good quality of research outputs. Data quality is measured by adherence to the FAIR principles of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable data for further research. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is located in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria. Projects in IITA are donor-funded, with each funding agency has its own policies on data management. A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a required document for every project proposal submitted to the funding agency. It is a tool used for planning, storing, and sharing research data. This study investigated how institutional policies impact the adoption of DMPs by agricultural researchers. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was adopted to guide the study and it explored how these policies shape researchers’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and how these elements influence the adoption of DMPs. A mixed-method approach was used through a TPB-based survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM). The study reported moderate agreement with items reflecting institutional policy, attitude toward DMPs, perceived behavioural control, and DMP adoption (means ? 3.07–3.11). However, subjective norms are slightly lower (mean = 2.80), suggesting that perceived social pressure or expectations may be weaker than other factors. The critical role that institutional policies and governance play in promoting adoption and sustained data management practices were discussed It was concluded that it is significant for all research to ensure compliance with international standards and maximise the benefits of agricultural research outputs beyond traditional uses, such as merely publishing.