1. Introduction: context, objectives, scope and recommendations
Data has always been the bedrock of scientific research.3 Traditionally seen as an input to a research project, data is now recognised as a significant output of a research project increasingly on par with publication.4 Technology-driven advances in data collection, together with advances in computation, communications and storage, are dramatically increasing the volume and the nature of data available for research. Combined with significant advances in data analytics, including the emergence of the new discipline of data science, these developments present new opportunities and some fundamental challenges.5 It is plausible that the ensuing ‘data revolution’ will disrupt research and the research enterprise as much as any other sector of the economy and society.6
This Australian Academy of Science document is an excellent resource to inform the responsible publication and sharing of data. It covers big data and the current situation of data sharing in Australia. A recommended read for researchers of all experience levels and career stages. We have included links to a whole swag of related items.
1.1 Objectives of the study
In response to these significant developments, opportunities and challenges, the Australian Research Council, through the Linkage Learned Academies Special Project (LASP) scheme, funded the Australian Academy of Science for a project titled ‘Big data in Australian research: Issues, challenges and opportunities’. The project’s objectives were to…
1 Australian Academy of Science & Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Improving accessibility and linkage of data to achieve better health outcomes for all Australians. (2019).
2 Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. ARC funding for The Use of Big Data for Social Policy. https://socialsciences.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ASSA-Press-Release-10Nov17-ARC-Funding-for-TheUse-of-Big-Data-for-Social-Policy.pdf (2017) [Accessed 12
July 2021].
3 Leonelli, S. Data – from objects to assets. Nature 574, 317–320 (2019).
4 Cousijn, H. et al. A data citation roadmap for scientific publishers. Sci. Data 5, 1–11 (2018).
5 British Academy and The Royal Society. Data management and use: governance in the 21st century. https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/Publications/2017/Data_management_and_use_governance_in_the_21st_century_2017_seminar_report.pdf (2017).
6 Mayer-Schönberger, V. & Cukier, K. Big data: a revolution that will transform how we live, work and think. (John Murray,
2013).
7 Australian Government Department of Education Skills and Employment. 2016 National Research Infrastructure
Roadmap. (2016).
Data has always been the bedrock of scientific research.3 Traditionally seen as an input to a research project, data is now recognised as a significant output of a research project increasingly on par with publication.4 Technology-driven advances in data collection, together with advances in computation, communications and storage, are dramatically increasing the volume and the nature of data available for research...