Conduct a survey research study of US research software projects to examine diversity of leadership and contributors

[dr-eric-jensen]

Potential Activity Scope
This project would involve the following steps:

• Identify the specific demographic aspects of diversity to be examined, such as age, gender, ethnicity, educational background, professional experience, geographic location, etc.

• Define the research objectives, focusing on evaluating the demographic patterns within leadership and contributors across research software projects.

• Develop a comprehensive research plan that emphasizes the importance of demographic diversity, including the target population, sampling strategy, survey design, timeline, budget, and ethical considerations.

• Conduct a thorough review of existing literature on demographic diversity within leadership and contributors in various fields, identifying gaps, trends, and theoretical frameworks that will inform the study.

• Analyze previous studies that have examined demographic patterns, drawing insights that will shape the research approach.

• Create a survey instrument that includes specific questions and scales to capture detailed demographic information.

• Ensure that the survey is designed to be inclusive and sensitive to various demographic groups, considering factors such as language, accessibility, and cultural relevance.

• Pilot test the survey with a diverse sample to identify potential biases or issues.

• Develop a sampling frame and method that ensures a representative sample of the diverse demographic landscape within research software projects.

• Implement a recruitment strategy that reaches various demographic groups, considering partnerships with organizations or networks that cater to diverse populations.

• Administer the survey, emphasizing the importance of demographic diversity in the recruitment and data collection process.

• Monitor demographic representation within the respondent pool, making efforts to increase participation from underrepresented groups if needed.

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the demographic data, utilizing statistical techniques to examine patterns, relationships, and disparities within leadership and contributors.

• Explore intersections between various demographic factors, such as how gender and ethnicity may interact within leadership roles.

• Interpret the findings with a strong focus on demographic diversity, drawing conclusions about the representation, inclusivity, and equity within research software projects.

• Identify implications, challenges, and opportunities related to demographic diversity, providing actionable recommendations for enhancing inclusivity.

• Disseminate the findings.

• Publish the dataset, survey instrument, and research report in open access platforms, emphasizing the demographic focus of the study.

  The following additional objectives may also be applicable:

• Submit manuscripts to academic journals or conferences that specialize in diversity, inclusion, and demographic studies.

• Engage in advocacy efforts that promote demographic inclusivity within research software projects, leveraging the study's insights to influence policies and practices.

Potential Objectives

• To define and focus research objectives evaluating demographic patterns within leadership and contributors.
• To develop and emphasize a comprehensive research plan including target population, sampling strategy, survey design, timeline, budget, and ethical considerations.
• To conduct and review existing literature identifying gaps, trends, and theoretical frameworks related to demographic diversity.
• To identify a representative sample of research software projects to examine demographic aspects of diversity such as age, gender, ethnicity, educational background, among leadership and contributors.
• To ensure the survey instrument includes key questions and scales to capture detailed demographic information that will shed light on diversity.
• To pilot test and identify potential biases in the survey with a diverse sample.
• To implement and reach various demographic groups through a recruitment strategy considering partnerships with diverse organizations or networks.
• To analyze and draw insights from previous studies examining demographic patterns.
• To explore and investigate intersections between demographic factors such as gender and ethnicity within leadership roles.
• To interpret and focus on findings drawing conclusions about representation, inclusivity, and equity.
• To identify and provide implications and recommendations enhancing inclusivity.
• To disseminate the survey findings.
• To publish the dataset and research report in open access platforms.

Targeted Impacts

• To expand and deepen understanding of the demographic diversity within research software projects.
• To identify challenges and opportunities for inclusivity within leadership and contributors in the research software landscape.
• To offer actionable evidence-based recommendations for enhancing equity that can inform and influence policy and practice.
• To establish a transparent and accessible dataset for public use that can serve as a lasting contribution to the field through the publication of the dataset, research report, and academic manuscripts.

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This potential activity was curated as part of "Charting the Course: Policy and Planning for Sustainable Research Software," a Sloan Foundation-funded project within URSSI dedicated to supporting the future of research software through evidence-informed policy work (Project contacts are: @danielskatz and @dr-eric-jensen). If you are interested in working on this, please add a comment.