Some considerations about digital research data repositories

Abstract

Introduction: Due to its commitment to seek new knowledge and new discoveries, contemporary scientific research produces and intensively uses digital research data. In this changing scenario, data are no longer simple byproducts of research activities, but have become first-rate information resources, characterizing a new scientific paradigm based on data sharing, access and reuse.
Objective: To identify the role of digital data repositories in the new scientific research scenarios, and to present an overview of their main characteristics, categories, benefits, functions and infrastructures.
Methodology: It analyzes the related literature and the main systems that give support to infrastructures for accessing and managing research data.
Results: In order for data collections to be able to transfer knowledge in a given time and space, as well as to be reused, it is quintessential to implement a permanent and sustainable technological and managerial infrastructure that allows these data collections to be curated throughout their life cycle. At the heart of this infrastructure are the digital repositories of research data, which are systems designed to support the selection, cataloging, archiving, access and sharing of research data.
Conclusion: Because of their importance as information resources, data repositories have quickly become an essential part of the research infrastructures on a global scale, by allowing an important part of the research activity visible and open to society as a whole. In this way, they pose some relevant challenges for Information and Library Science.