Core data set research

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The research core data set is a standard in the German science system. It describes what information universities, universities of applied sciences, non-university research institutions and other research institutions should keep ready for their research activities. The research core data set contains definitions of this information. The project is based on the recommendations of the Science Council(WR) back. The information is administered at the scientific institutions. A transfer takes place on request depending on the occasion, it is incumbent on an institution as the data owner to decide whether it wants to comply with a request for transfer. Unlike z. B. in Norway (CRIStin) this solution bypasses a national database. The research core data set is a recommendation and has no legally binding effect. However, observing it is intended to simplify matters for the institutions that can then respond uniformly to different requests for their data. After a two-year development phase with a public beta phase in summer 2015, the Science Council recommended implementing the standard in January 2016. To support the introduction, universities and research institutions should be able to fall back on a nationwide help desk.

Background and goals

The research core data set is based on recommendations by the Science Council. These are also seen as a reaction to an increase in inquiries to research institutions, e.g. B. for rankings or in the course of evaluations and accreditations to document their research activities through research reports. Against this background, the President of the University of Hamburg said:

“You could collect a core set of data that can also be used for purposes other than rankings. For example for the reports in which the universities present their performance to the state governments every year. That would relieve the universities overall. "

- Dieter Lenzen : Rankings are nonsense. Dieter Lenzen explains why his university is boycotting rankings - and what alternatives he sees.

Reporting on research activities, including for the evaluation of performance, requires quality-assured and comparable data. The core research data set is intended to provide a Germany-wide standard for this purpose. The data in the core dataset should provide information about research, e.g. B. within subjects or from universities or institutes. In this way it can be ensured, for example, that two universities understand the same thing as a “research project” and that their information, e.g. B. can be linked to a regional view of scientific activity. The information that is part of this standard is now largely collected independently of it. The Science Council sees the core data set as an “offer at universities and non-university research institutions that should support and not replace their often existing activities in the IT recording of their research activities.” This is intended to create a basis for data-supported reporting on research activities and their contexts. The Science Council states that the core data set does not claim to cover all research activities in all research contexts comprehensively or even to the same extent.

development

From autumn 2013 onwards, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research financed a project to develop a core research dataset. It was managed by the Berlin Institute for Research Information and Quality Assurance (part of the German Center for University and Science Research ). Four project groups dealt with the areas of definitions and data formats, bibliometrics, technology and interfaces and subject classification. The basis of the standardization process was in particular existing data sources and definitions (e.g. in the Frascati manual , the CERIF specification, the Federal Statistical Office and at universities). The results were u during the development process. a. discussed with the specialist public at two public events. Furthermore, the project groups presented partial results z. B. Specialized societies for consultation and examined them together with four pilot institutions. This should ensure that the proposals can be implemented in practice by universities and non-university research institutions as easily as possible.

The results of this project were presented to the advisory board set up by the Science Council in spring 2015. The proposed definitions could then be commented on in a public beta phase. A total of 100 written responses were received from universities, AUF, ministries and other institutions or organizations. In addition to general comments, the Advisory Board of the Science Council evaluated 1820 responses to individual elements and / or suggestions for definitions. Version 1.0 of the core data set was presented by the Science Council in January 2016.

Content

The core research data set is divided into six thematic areas: employees, promotion of young talent, third-party funding and finances, patents and spin-offs, publications and research infrastructures . Extensive adjustments were made following the feedback. Information on teaching is not provided in the core research data set.

context

At European level there are a number of projects that also aim to provide meaningful data on research activities. They are often supported by research sponsors or government agencies. Norway has z. B. created a national database. Overall, the international landscape arises, e.g. In the Netherlands, Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Canada and Germany, for example, federalism has resulted in isolated solutions at universities, research institutions and funding organizations - with at best limited compatibility. An approach to define a standard at the instigation of science is being pursued for the first time in Germany with the research core data set.

The definitions of the research core data set can be mapped to the CERIF data model, which enables the exchange between different research information systems. These are becoming increasingly widespread in Germany.

resonance

The public response to the research core data set has increased since the public beta phase in summer 2015 and is largely positive. The German Initiative for Network Information welcomes the project. The University Rectors ' Conference describes the core data set as an opportunity to keep effort and costs as low as possible in the event of a possible research rating. In order to increase efficiency, the Max Planck Society also welcomed the introduction of the research core data set. The historians' association was critical of the research, which sees the core data set as a step towards a "key figure science" and an instrument for evaluating research. However, these assessments are qualified elsewhere:

“It would be naive to deny that standardized data can also be used to generate key figures. The core dataset deliberately does not contain any suggestions for interpretation. The WR has also repeatedly pointed out the narrow limits of purely quantitative assessment. However, and that would also be naive to deny, such evaluations (...) already exist today. Assessments are often made on the basis of completely unsecured data. The core dataset now creates the basis for a factual discussion about which conclusions are legitimately permitted by data whose resilience is known. "

- Doris Wedlich : Uniform and comparable. The core data set research for science

For the German Society for Sociology, the efficiency gains are unclear with short and medium-term high expenditure. In addition, the research activities, for which no data are provided in the core data set, are in fact devalued.

Web links

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  1. ↑ a b c d e f g Wissenschaftsrat: Recommendations for the specification of the core data set research Berlin 2016 (Drs. 5066-163). Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  2. ↑ a b c Wissenschaftsrat: Recommendations for a core data set research Berlin 2013 (Drs. 2855-13). Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  3. ↑ The daily mirror. October 2, 2012, p. 24. [1]
  4. ↑ a b c Biesenbender, Sophie; Hornbostel, Stefan; Riechert, Mathias: All together, Deutsche Universitätszeitung 03/2014
  5. ↑ Project specification core data set research: Specification core data set research: implementation . Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  6. ↑ Project specification core data set research: Specification core data set research: messages . Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  7. ↑ Project specification core data set research: Specification core data set research: pilot facilities . Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  8. ↑ Science Council: Litmus test for data standard. iFQ and the Science Council ask for comments on the "beta version" of the 'core research data set' , June 18, 2015. Accessed October 10, 2015.
  9. ^ Scientific Council: Advisory Board meeting , September 4, 2015. Accessed October 9, 2015.
  10. ^ Sticht, Kendra: Use of research information systems at universities and colleges with the right to award doctorates in Germany. Results report . doi: 10.5281 / zenodo.13841
  11. ↑ German Initiative for Network Information (DINI): Standardize and facilitate research documentation! ( Memento of the original from December 22, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , February 19, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2015. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / dini.de
  12. ↑ University Rectors' Conference : On the Research Rating of the Science Council , May 13, 2014. Accessed October 9, 2015.
  13. ↑ Interview with Martin Stratmann: We hope for efficiency gains , Deutsche Universitätszeitung , July 24, 2015. Accessed October 10, 2015.
  14. ↑ Martin Schulze Wessel: An instrument for indicator science is being set up here. Does the core research dataset reanimate the dead-announced plan of a research rating? In: FAZ August 12, 2015, p. N4.
  15. ↑ Doris Wedlich: Consistent and comparable. The core data set research for science. ( Memento of October 5, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) In: Research & Teaching , No. 10, October 2015. Retrieved on October 12, 2015.
  16. ^ German Society for Sociology: Statement by the German Society for Sociology on the Science Council's research core data set , January 20, 2016. Accessed January 30, 2016.