Funding bodies want research data to be easy to find and therefore easy to re-use. For many researchers, the question arises as to whether there is not simply some kind of software like “Google” for research data - because that would make life a whole lot easier. But this is easier said than done! In this short article, we would like to explain why there will probably be no Google for research data in the foreseeable future:

The data type

• Google has specialized in an established and long-lived data type: HTML
• In the research world, countless heterogeneous data types are used and new ones are added continually

Instructions

• Google has detailed instructions (documentation) on how to build a web page using HTML (metadata formula) and to effectively index content to make it searchable (best practice).
• In the research world, appropriately detailed documentation exists for only a few data types; defined standards or metadata standards do exist, but the scientific community is still far from deciding on one standard to which all research data should adhere

The team

• Google has a dedicated team available to focus on developing and maintaining the services it offers to its users all over the world; it also provides enormous computing power at a great expense
• Most research groups are made up of small teams and it is often the case that the majority of these employees only have temporary employment contracts. In addition, the IT equipment in each case is largely dictated by the conditions at the local university

Motivation

• Google has created an incentive system over the years: whoever adheres to the best practices for the structural design of an HTML page is rewarded with clear financial benefits and prestige
• Within the area of research, there are currently - despite enormous efforts - few incentives to manage research data and methods to an extent that goes beyond what is needed for immediate research work

Research data management is still not fully fledged. As a result, it will be quite a while before the available processes and tools can mimic the ease of a Google search. But at all levels (European Commission, Federal Government, NFDI, RDA, SaxFDM, university), institutions are committed to working to ensure that research data management will one day be an integral and profitable part of the research world.

What is your opinion about the topic?

You are very welcome to get in touch with us. Feel free to contact us by e-mail via Service Center Research Data or book an appointment appointment.