The Collections
- one for processing and describing historical research collections;
- and one that addresses contemporary research collections, with entirely born digital research data.
Historical Research Collections
The Center for the History of Medicine described three collections.- the largest is the Harvard School of Public Health Longitudinal Studies of Child Health and Development collection(Boston site data, Stuart HC/Valadian I/Gardner J, 1930-1987, 127 cf).
- early intervention studies deriving from the multisite Infant Health and Development Program (McCormick MC, 1985-2014, 5 cf, .12 GB)
- and the Social transition and risk for disordered eating in Fiji study (Becker A, 2004-2010, 5 cf, .05 GB) that identified the impact of social media exposure on health.
Contemporary Research Collections
The University of Alberta Libraries has described a selection of studies that were conducted by WCHRI or MICYRN researchers. These studies are drawn from contemporary “born digital” research, and the bulk of the 39 studies we describe for this pilot are pediatric clinical trials and maternal and infant cohort studies, although other studies, such as a systematic review and a knowledge translation study, will also be described.As well as touching on the diverse sorts of research that WCHRI and MICYRN members are doing, these 39 studies also represent a variety of statuses and conditions: some of the studies have been completed, some are still going on, and some are still recruiting participants. We’re also exploring including terminated or withdrawn trials, since these can be important for other researchers to know about, in terms of collaboration and reducing duplication of work.
In all, the Center and University of Alberta Libraries described 39 studies comprised of 390 electronic files and 135 cubic feet of analog records.
All of the research studies that both the Center for the History of Medicine and the University of Alberta are describing result from research data that cannot be replicated (as in the case of longitudinal study data). Or should not be replicated if it can be avoided (as in clinical research with children).