Abstract
This article introduces the Live Data project funded by the Research IT Board of the University of Oxford’s IT Services department. The primary aim of the project is to support academics in creating interactive visualisations using a variety of cloud-based visualisation services, which the academic can freely embed within academic journals, blogs and personal websites through the use of iframes. To achieve this the project has been funded from October 2015 to March 2017 to recruit visualisation case studies from across the University and to develop software agnostic workflows for the creation of interactive visualisations. Within this report we present interactive visualisations as a vital component of the academic’s toolkit for engaging potential collaborators and the general public with their research data – thereby bridging the so-called ‘data gap’ between data, publication and researcher.Â
Highlights
Open access and open data are necessary but not sufficient for visible and discoverable research
The JavaScript library was open-sourced in November 2015, in addition to API libraries for R and Python – two scripting languages being used in the Live Data project
This will be used to host case studies developed within the project and existing Shiny apps developed by researchers at Oxford
Summary
Open access and open data are necessary but not sufficient for visible and discoverable research. While significant infrastructure has been dedicated to the development of research curation and long-term preservation technologies, the problem of discoverability and the so-called ‘data gap’ remain largely ignored (Wessels et al, 2014) This is despite the universally accepted provision of public access to publicly funded research data (Pilat and Fukasaku, 2007). Researchers have repeatedly provided feedback about a lack of training and advice in how to promote their publications and open access datasets in the modern, dataorientated research and publication marketplace In response to this feedback, Research Support Services in the IT Services department interviewed academics across the University through 2013 and 2014. In addition to individual case studies, the project will output a range of software/tool agnostic workflows for processing research data into dynamic exploratory visualisations. The long term goal for the project is to organically grow a visualisation service within the University dedicated to promoting the necessities and benefits of the University and funders’ RDM policies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
