Building an Open Data Repository: Lessons and Challenge

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Author : Limor Peer

The Internet has transformed scholarly research in many ways. Open access to data and other research output has been touted as a crucial step toward transparency and quality in science. This paper takes a critical look at what it takes to share social science research data, from the perspective of a small data repository at Yale University’s Institution for Social and Policy Studies.

The ISPS Data Archive was built to create an open access digital collection of social science experimental data, metadata, and associated files produced by ISPS researchers, for the purpose of replication of research findings, further analysis, and teaching.

This paper describes the development of the ISPS Data Archive and discusses the inter-related challenges of replication, integration, and stewardship. It argues that open data requires effort, investment of resources, and planning. By itself, it does not enhance knowledge.

URL : http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1931048

Les réseaux scientifiques et d’acteurs de terrain : Webographie, sondage et création d’un réseau

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Le projet de réseau poursuit trois objectifs principaux : Mettre en réseau, communiquer et informer. Mettre en réseau en créant des possibilités de rencontres et de tutorat entre membres du réseau et en formant les jeunes chercheurs à la rédaction d’articles scientifiques de qualité.

Communiquer en créant un lieu d’échanges accessible au plus grand nombre avec la possibilité de mettre des messages, d’initier des discussions, de déposer des textes (par exemple des rapports de projets). Informer en diffusant des informations sur la revue FACTS et les différentes initiatives de celle-ci. Pour ce faire, une partie du projet s’appuiera sur des plateformes « Open source » existantes telle que Drupal.

La première partie du projet était de faire état de ce qui existe actuellement dans le domaine et les besoins identifiés par des scientifiques. Le seconde était de concevoir le réseau. Le réseau est disponible à l’adresse suivante : http://www.linart.qc.ca/projets/facts/en .”

URL : http://vertigo.hypotheses.org/files/2011/09/%C3%89tude_r%C3%A9seaux_sociaux_scientifiques_num%C3%A9riques.pdf

Evaluating the Impact of Open Data Websites …

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Evaluating the Impact of Open Data Websites :

“Over the past few years, the steady increase in the number of government open data websites has led to a call for appropriate evaluation tools. While some (Noveck, 2009) have expressed optimism as to the potential of government open data, others (Coglianese, 2009; Hindman, 2009) have been more hesitant. This paper therefore aims to answer the following question: how does one evaluate the success of open data websites in reaching democratic objectives? In doing so, it explores past academic studies and examines the researcher’s experience with interpretive inquiry. Using Data.gov as an example, it argues that survey-based research, a common tool in information systems analysis, may not be suited to open data websites. Instead, it suggests a content analysis methodology, which hopes to inform future research on the subject.”

URL : http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1926201

The Digital Scholar: How Technology Is Transforming Scholarly Practice

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While industries such as music, newspapers, film and publishing have seen radical changes in their business models and practices as a direct result of new technologies, higher education has so far resisted the wholesale changes we have seen elsewhere.

However, a gradual and fundamental shift in the practice of academics is taking place. Every aspect of scholarly practice is seeing changes effected by the adoption and possibilities of new technologies.

This book will explore these changes, their implications for higher education, the possibilities for new forms of scholarly practice and what lessons can be drawn from other sectors.

URL : https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/the-digital-scholar-how-technology-is-transforming-scholarly-practice/

Implementing Open Access Policy: First Case Studies

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When implementing open access, policy pioneers and flagship institutions alike have faced considerable challenges in meeting their own aims and achieving a recognized success.

Legitimate authority, sufficient resources and the right timing are crucial, but the professionals charged with implementing policy typically still need several years to accomplish significant progress.

This study defines a methodological standard for evaluating the first generation of open access policies. Evaluating implementation establishes evidence, enables reflection, and may foster the emergence of a second generation of open access policies.

While the study is based on a small number of cases, these case studies cover most of the pioneer institutions, present the most significant issues and offer an international overview.

Each case is reconstructed individually on the basis of public documents and background information, and supported by interviews with professionals responsible for open access implementation.

This article presents the highlights from each case study. The results are utilized to indicate how a second generation of policies might define open access as a key component of digital research infrastructures that provide inputs and outputs for research, teaching and learning in real time.

URL : http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1927772

Briefing paper on Open Access Business Models for…

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Briefing paper on Open Access Business Models for research funders and universities :

“This study covers the types of business model used for open access to publicly-funded research content. Various organizational structures developed to offer open access to publicly-funded research content are examined from the perspective of publicly-funded institutions and
organizations. Business models for publicly-funded institutions can be built from elements which a commercial business model may not include, particularly in respect of the inclusion of non-financial factors. While the cost of open access or any other research dissemination model remains important, the discussion around research dissemination now includes impact, value and benefits. Other non-financial factors – such as copyright assignment – are also understood to be key issues in designing a successful business model for publicly-funded research outputs. Thus in this document the description of each type of open access business model includes the factors which will determine the cost incurred in providing open access, the factors likely to be important in adopting the model, and a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of each open access model from the perspective of research funding agencies and institutions managing the funding of research dissemination. Most of the document relates to research outputs in the form of journal articles but brief descriptions are given of factors important in open access to research data and research monographs.”

URL : http://www.knowledge-exchange.info/Default.aspx?ID=459

L’édition numérique dans les pays en développement

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“E-books, impression à la demande, sites de vente en ligne, essor des téléphones portables… les nouvelles technologies transforment profondément le mode de circulation des textes. Dans les pays en développement, qui connaissent à différentes échelles de graves contraintes en infrastructure, l’enjeu est de taille.

Quels nouveaux acteurs apparaissent dans les pays du Sud, en marge des systèmes puissants déjà formés aux États-Unis, en Europe et au Japon ? Peut-on concevoir une évolution autonome des publications numériques dans les pays en développement par rapport à celle des pays riches ? Quelles politiques d’appui peuvent être mises en place pour encourager la croissance de cette nouvelle industrie et pour aider et accompagner les acteurs traditionnels à s’adapter aux changements ?

Des expériences numériques menées dans le Sud permettent d’entrevoir que les nouvelles technologies constituent une grande opportunité pour les pays en développement – notamment en termes de diffusion – à condition que les entrepreneurs locaux cherchent des modèles originaux, adaptés aux besoins concrets de leurs communautés.”

URL : http://alliance-lab.org/etude/wp-content/uploads/edition_numerique.pdf