Online platforms for research data: A requirements and cost analysis

Online platforms serving the research community offer the potential to accelerate research efforts to solve societal challenges. Based on Semantic Web technologies, domain-specific research platforms can pave the way for a ‘digital transformation’ in science. Researchers will be able to share and analyse research data. A prerequisite for the success of such platforms is the identification and consideration of stakeholders’ requirements. However, meeting all requirements is cost-intensive. Existing funding models cannot be easily transferred to such new online platforms. With this paper, we contribute to the discussion in science and politics on how the provision of research data can be organized via online platforms in the future. As a basis, this study empirically investigated funder and user requirements of an online platform for materials research data and conducted a cost analysis to assess possible funding models that might ensure the long-term operation of these platforms.