1 Accreditation
The rules and criteria for the accreditation of research data centers (RDCs) will be discussed and revised in light of past experience, new developments, and a possible re-accreditation process in the near future.
- Format: Joint working group of the German Data Forum and the Standing Committee Research Data Infrastructure (FDI) will prepare a report; German Data Forum will adopt procedural guidelines
- Timeframe: Beginning in December 2014, preliminary report in April 2015, completion in spring 2016
2 Reporting system: RDCs and Standing Committee Research Data Infrastructure (FDI)
Research data centers (RDCs) deliver annual key figures to the Standing Committee Research Data infrastructure (FDI) in their annual reports. These figures should be examined regarding their informative value. The aim is to gain reliable and long-term information on the RDCs’ activities.
- Format: Joint working group of the German Data Forum and the Standing Committee Research Data Infrastructure (FDI) will prepare a report; the German Data Forum will adopt procedural guideline
- Timeframe: Beginning in spring 2015; preliminary report December 2015; enactment in spring 2016
3 Evaluation and re-accreditation
To date the German Data Forum has continuously accredited additional research data centers (RDCs) without evaluating their relevance and impact. It should be examined how standards, evaluations, and guidelines for re-accreditation could benefit the German research data infrastructure. Criteria are to be developed and established.
- Format: Joint working group of the German Data Forum and the Standing Committee Research Data Infrastructure (FDI) will prepare a report; the German Data Forum will adopt procedural guidelines
- Timeframe: Beginning in spring 2015; preliminary report in summer 2015; enactment in spring 2016
4 Harmonization: web, documentation, output control
Many operative tasks are a challenge for all research data centers (RDCs). Their efficiency could be increased by harmonizing standards, work tasks, documentation and operational procedures to ensure data protection.
- Format: Joint working group of the German Data Forum and the Standing Committee Research Data Infrastructure (FDI) will prepare a report; the German Data Forum will adopt procedural guidelines
- Timeframe: Beginning in summer 2015; final report in spring 2016, enactment in summer 2016
5 Metastructures: Data access and RDC landscape
Main issues are the improvement of user support with regard to finding data, and the design of future structures of the research data infrastructure. Information services and ways to strengthen cooperation between research data centers (“RDC in RDC”) will be re-examined.
- Format: Joint working group of the German Data Forum and the Standing Committee Research Data Infrastructure (FDI) will prepare a report; German Data Forum will issue recommendations
- Timeframe: Beginning December 2015; final report in summer 2016; completion in December 2016