Linking to Scientific Data: Identity Problems of Unruly and Poorly Bounded Digital Objects
Within information systems, a significant aspect of search and retrieval across information objects, such as datasets, journal articles, or images, relies on the identity construction of the objects. This paper uses identity to refer to the qualities or characteristics of an information object that...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Edinburgh
2011-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Digital Curation |
| Online Access: | http://localhost:8032/ijdc/article/view/183 |
| _version_ | 1797402100741701632 |
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| author | Laura Wynholds |
| author_facet | Laura Wynholds |
| author_sort | Laura Wynholds |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Within information systems, a significant aspect of search and retrieval across information objects, such as datasets, journal articles, or images, relies on the identity construction of the objects. This paper uses identity to refer to the qualities or characteristics of an information object that make it definable and recognizable, and can be used to distinguish it from other objects. Identity, in this context, can be seen as the foundation from which citations, metadata and identifiers are constructed.
In recent years the idea of including datasets within the scientific record has been gaining significant momentum, with publishers, granting agencies and libraries engaging with the challenge. However, the task has been fraught with questions of best practice for establishing this infrastructure, especially in regards to how citations, metadata and identifiers should be constructed. These questions suggests a problem with how dataset identities are formed, such that an engagement with the definition of datasets as conceptual objects is warranted.
This paper explores some of the ways in which scientific data is an unruly and poorly bounded object, and goes on to propose that in order for datasets to fulfill the roles expected for them, the following identity functions are essential for scholarly publications: (i) the dataset is constructed as a semantically and logically concrete object, (ii) the identity of the dataset is embedded, inherent and/or inseparable, (iii) the identity embodies a framework of authorship, rights and limitations, and (iv) the identity translates into an actionable mechanism for retrieval or reference.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T02:19:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c3ad21c10f34bf188b24d1e54333cc2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-8256 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T02:19:32Z |
| publishDate | 2011-03-01 |
| publisher | University of Edinburgh |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Digital Curation |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c3ad21c10f34bf188b24d1e54333cc22023-12-06T17:44:31ZengUniversity of EdinburghInternational Journal of Digital Curation1746-82562011-03-0161Linking to Scientific Data: Identity Problems of Unruly and Poorly Bounded Digital ObjectsLaura WynholdsWithin information systems, a significant aspect of search and retrieval across information objects, such as datasets, journal articles, or images, relies on the identity construction of the objects. This paper uses identity to refer to the qualities or characteristics of an information object that make it definable and recognizable, and can be used to distinguish it from other objects. Identity, in this context, can be seen as the foundation from which citations, metadata and identifiers are constructed. In recent years the idea of including datasets within the scientific record has been gaining significant momentum, with publishers, granting agencies and libraries engaging with the challenge. However, the task has been fraught with questions of best practice for establishing this infrastructure, especially in regards to how citations, metadata and identifiers should be constructed. These questions suggests a problem with how dataset identities are formed, such that an engagement with the definition of datasets as conceptual objects is warranted. This paper explores some of the ways in which scientific data is an unruly and poorly bounded object, and goes on to propose that in order for datasets to fulfill the roles expected for them, the following identity functions are essential for scholarly publications: (i) the dataset is constructed as a semantically and logically concrete object, (ii) the identity of the dataset is embedded, inherent and/or inseparable, (iii) the identity embodies a framework of authorship, rights and limitations, and (iv) the identity translates into an actionable mechanism for retrieval or reference. http://localhost:8032/ijdc/article/view/183 |
| spellingShingle | Laura Wynholds Linking to Scientific Data: Identity Problems of Unruly and Poorly Bounded Digital Objects International Journal of Digital Curation |
| title | Linking to Scientific Data: Identity Problems of Unruly and Poorly Bounded Digital Objects |
| title_full | Linking to Scientific Data: Identity Problems of Unruly and Poorly Bounded Digital Objects |
| title_fullStr | Linking to Scientific Data: Identity Problems of Unruly and Poorly Bounded Digital Objects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Linking to Scientific Data: Identity Problems of Unruly and Poorly Bounded Digital Objects |
| title_short | Linking to Scientific Data: Identity Problems of Unruly and Poorly Bounded Digital Objects |
| title_sort | linking to scientific data identity problems of unruly and poorly bounded digital objects |
| url | http://localhost:8032/ijdc/article/view/183 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT laurawynholds linkingtoscientificdataidentityproblemsofunrulyandpoorlyboundeddigitalobjects |