Repository Platforms for Research Data: Case Statement

The RDA Repository Platforms for Research Data working group will gather and analyze research data use cases in the context of repository platform requirements. The primary deliverable will be a matrix relating use cases with functional requirements for repository platforms.

 

As of the writing of this case statement, several communities in the research data realm somewhat “grope in the dark” when it comes to choosing, utilizing, deploying or developing the best possible repository platform to meet particular research data needs:

The primary target audience for the aforementioned matrix consists of developers and service providers of repository software. The functional requirements will influence the development of repository software and related services to better serve the use cases of the research data community.

 

Secondary audiences for the matrix may include:

The proposed WG members are not aware of current work that would overlap with, or duplicate, the proposed activity.  Following are links to work that focused on specific use cases, institutions, and/or repository platforms:

 

 

Many of the proposed WG’s members are expected to already be users, implementers, or developers of repository platforms for research data, or to be exploring such activities, so their awareness of ongoing related research in this area should feed proactively into the WG’s ongoing work.

 

 

 

This matrix will align a list of distilled research data use cases with functional requirements related to repository platforms. These requirements may also relate to specifications for a generic API, particularly in terms of interoperability and workflows. Each use case will tick a box under one or more functional requirements, indicating that the use case may be satisfied with a repository platform that supports the related functional requirement(s).  The intersection boxes of use cases and functional requirements may also contain values expressing the importance or usefulness of the functionality for the use case, with details of that to be developed by the proposed WG.

 

In support of the matrix, each use case and functional requirement will be described in more detail. Use cases will follow a narrative, user story format that “captures the 'who', 'what' and 'why' of a requirement in a simple, concise way”.  This documentation will serve as a reference for anyone looking for more detail on a particular use case or functional requirement from the matrix.

 

The review of specific repository platform products vis-a-vis functional requirements or use cases is outside the scope of the proposed WG’s activities, but may be informed by its output.

 

 

One of the first milestones will be an initial list of use cases that is deemed to be representative of the broad needs of the research data community. This list will need to be edited, distilled, and analyzed in order to identify common themes and requirements.

 

A master list of functional requirements will be created as use cases are analyzed. This master list will be produced before combining the use cases and functional requirements in a matrix.

 

The working group will primarily communicate asynchronously online using the mailing list functionality provided by RDA. Online voice meetings will be scheduled as needed; likely once per month. When possible, in-person meetings will also be scheduled; these will take place at RDA plenaries and at other conferences where a sufficient number of group members are in attendance.

 

Group consensus will be achieved primarily through mailing list discussions, where opposing views will be openly discussed and debated amongst members of the group. If consensus cannot be achieved in this manner, the group co-chairs will make the final decision on how to proceed.

 

The co-chairs will keep the working group on track by setting milestones and reviewing progress relative to these targets. Similarly, scope will be maintained by tying milestones to specific dates, and ensuring that group work does not fall outside the bounds of the milestones or the scope of the working group.

 

The working group case statement will be disseminated to mailing lists in related communities of practice related to research data, in an effort to cast a wide net and attract a diverse, multi-disciplinary membership. Group activities, where appropriate, will also be published to related mailing lists and online forums to encourage broad community participation. 

 

The documented matrix of use cases for research data and functional requirements for repository platforms will be disseminated to members of the primary and secondary audiences mentioned under the Value Proposition via the methods mentioned in Community Engagement. They will be asked to provide feedback to the working group on what specific use cases the WG’s output helped them to address, how useful the documented matrix was to them, and where additions or improvements to it could be made in future iterations.  This feedback will determine whether a follow-up WG should be established or the current WG’s efforts continued, depending on the RDA governance guidance for that at the time.  

 

 

The membership of the working group will consist of the following individuals:

 

who will, together with the co-chairs, bring capacities from, and represent, the following communities of potential adopters and implementers:

from Europe, Asia, and North America.

 

 

TAB Review: https://rd-alliance.org/group/rda-technical-advisory-board-tab/wiki/repo...