eReSS background

Software developers often fail to use open standards when developing software. Researchers often duplicate effort that has been done by others. The costs of “patching” interoperability and duplication of research are spiralling. This is not by intent, though. When software developers are aware of applicable standards, they adopt them. When researchers duplicate effort—often identified after the work is completed and published—they wish they could have moved much more quickly and produced more relevant results.

There are three factors causing this loss of productivity. The first is having a source of information that can provide the vital link between a project and specifications or work that others have done. The Internet and sophisticated search tools are helping, but the exponential growth of information and data makes the task more difficult. An intermediary is needed, much like a reference librarian, that can immediately assist developers and researchers find the resources they need. Second is the pressure for speed. Often the required link is new and tenuous—a document has not been read often enough to rise in the search algorithms. Knowing the individuals who are contributing has become one of the most productive sources of immediate and relevant information. Note the operative word “immediate” — the pressure for results makes for the daunting task of finding work done only a few weeks ago. The third factor is globalisation. Often work is being done by a group in another country, where communication may falter between languages and groups not personally known to others. Projects, such as uPortal, that intentionally create links among developer groups around the globe enables work in France to benefit users in Australia, implementations in the U.K. to serve as references for Japanese universities, and research projects in Japan to provide results used in the U.S.

This study focuses on those actions that improve the productivity of developers and researchers. It includes a spectrum of people experienced in linking the work of divergent groups. It includes techniques that have been found productive in other projects. And it provides the infrastructure that, through experience and change, can serve the community in the future. The eReSS consortium, in meeting the objectives of the study, will produce an authoritative and sustainable living reference point for members of the Virtual Research Environment community to both discover and contribute information and experience.

The main objectives of the study are to:

• Review on an ongoing basis interoperability standards, frameworks and technology platforms and identify their applicability to VRE development activities. It is recognised that these might have their origin within the eResearch arena or have been developed by other sectors and have potential applicability to eResearch.
• Review current VRE development work and identify requirements for interoperability at each of four levels identified (end-user, technical, institutional and international interoperability). This task will be imperative to provide a basis upon which the pragmatic implementation of appropriate interoperability recommendations can be made.
• Propose suitable interoperability solutions and provide guidance to current and future VRE projects in their implementation. The proposed solution will provide an easy-to-use reference guide backed up by the expertise of consortium members.
• Propose recommendations to the JISC on the development of the e-Framework for Education and Research. It is clear that experience within the e-learning and information environment sectors can contribute to VRE and eResearch interoperability, and it will be essential to reciprocate this where applicable to ensure the fullest view of education and research the e-Framework can provide.

The study will be basing its work around the development of a wiki to create a true community resource. Details are available on the methodology page.