KosortSWD Forum4MICA
 

Background

The research data infrastructure in the social, behavioral, educational, and economic sciences is characterized by a broad, diverse, and ever-expanding range of available datasets. However, their reuse potential depends not only on the respective data access, but also on the extent and quality of support for researchers in dealing with these data. Classical tools here range from documentation materials and research tools to training courses, tutorials, hotlines and FAQ lists. However, these services are 1) very heterogeneous in scope and usability, 2) generally tailored to a specific data product, 3) only partially transparent, and 4) in many cases not permanently available. A fundamental problem is also the purely bilateral interaction, which neglects the enormous potential of an exchange of knowledge and experience within the community of data users.

 

Aim

The "Forum" subproject addresses these limitations by setting up a joint online discussion platform for data providers and data users. The central advantage of such a platform is that communication is completely transparent. This not only makes the search for information more efficient and the relevant expertise available in a structured and sustainable way, but at the same time also increases the visibility of data infrastructures and their users. With the establishment of a common forum, an archive of freely accessible knowledge is created, which promotes the professional handling of complex research data. At the same time, the forum enables continuous feedback to the data-providing institutions. Accordingly, the integration of researchers in a network and an open discourse around the use of research data infrastructures are among the main motivations for the project.

 

Procedure

As part of the conceptual preparation, questions regarding the content and organization of the structure and operation of the forum will be clarified and the technical possibilities of implementation will be examined. Already in this phase, the project team of the Research Data Center at LIfBi (FDZ-LIfBi) is in close exchange with interested research data centers of other institutions. Following the completion of the beta version, an intensive testing of all processes and functionalities will take place. The further development of Forum4MICA based on this will result in an official release, with which the forum will be publicized within the scientific community and released for use. The forum, which is supported by several research data infrastructures and research data centers, will be hosted at LIfBi and moderated by FDZ-LIfBi.   

 

Project profile