Developing Common Specification on Research Information and Data (CS) based on the CERIF model

Abstract

Research information and data are part of the business information of Swedish universites and other research institutions. Research records are consequently subject to implemention of the Principle on Public Access to Records (OP). It means, universities and other research institutions, being part of the government, must ensure accuracy, reusability and longevity for the long term access to this information. Common Specifications for e-archiving and e-records management (CS) can be a good facilitator for the access to research information and data in ongoing activities and over time. CS outline requirements for metadata and appropriate keys for interoperability between different systems.

There is a significant lack of semantic and technical interoperability between systems within research administration, e.g., personnel information systems, accounting systems, records management and publication systems. Implementing the CERIF model together with the CS for research records and data gives the possibility for mapping crucial identifiers and a standardised description including an XML schema for transfer between different systems supporting management of research records as well as systems for long term preservation and access.

Four Swedish universities supported by other universities in Sweden and the Swedish Research Council recently undertook an initiative on development of CS for research records and data based on the CERIF model. This presentation will discuss some of the results on possibilities and limits within the implementation of the model together with the CS.