Advances in Integrated Research Infrastructures for Science and Humanities Linked Data

Abstract

The continued challenge for data in any discipline is sustainable access, open source file formats, and the capacity for linked data. Collaborations with European and American colleagues indicates a shared concern, but with a less focused effort for establishing and recognizing the need for a more integrated approach to truly linked data, and the need for high level metadata embedded within datasets. Many related fields and disciplines have begun to focus on the need to integrate and assess approaches from colleagues – from materials science to archeology, botany, biology and chemistry. The Research Data Alliance (RDA) has brought together a more cohesive approach to data management on the global scale. Developments for linked scientific data generated on heritage materials has continued to develop within the Library of Congress Preservation Research and Testing Division has engaged with colleagues in RDA and internationally to build upon existing standards and authorities, allowing greater credence for humanities and cultural heritage linked data. Further developments in the CLASS-D database structure enable the unique capability to link a range of types of scientific instrumental analyses back to original source materials, track samples and derivatives over time, and further the capability for web-accessible access to heritage collections.