Report
Advancing Data-Intensive Research in Australia
Australian Academy of Science. Reports, pp.1-76
Australian Academy of Science
2021
Abstract
Data has always been the bedrock of scientific research. Traditionally seen as an input to a research project, data is now recognised as a significant output of a research project increasingly on par with publication. Technology-driven advances in data collection, together with advances in computation, communications and storage, are dramatically increasing the volume and the nature of data available for research. Combined with significant advances in data analytics, including the emergence of the new discipline of data science, these developments present new opportunities and some fundamental challenges. It is plausible that the ensuing ‘data revolution’ will disrupt research and the research enterprise as much as any other sector of the economy and society.
Australia and Australian research have not escaped these profound changes. They have spurred significant investment in enabling eResearch infrastructure described by the 2016 National Research Infrastructure
Roadmap as ‘critical infrastructure for modern research’. Access to this infrastructure together with new data sources are opening up new opportunities for research that ask questions not answerable before.
These research opportunities are extending from the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) disciplines through to the humanities, arts and social sciences (HASS) disciplines. Indeed, some of the most exciting research with greatest impact is arising from significant collaborations across fields. These new developments are demanding more sophisticated data skills in researchers in many disciplines. While the research opportunities afforded are profound, their realisation is accompanied by a range of challenges. Some are technical, others are cultural, and some go to the fundamental tenets of scientific research which, unless addressed, could significantly impact on trust in science.
Details
- Title
- Advancing Data-Intensive Research in Australia
- Authors
- Michael Barber (Author) - Flinders UniversityJane Elith (Author) - University of MelbourneDanny A Kingsley (Author) - Australian National UniversityAyesha Tulloch (Author) - University of Sydney
- Publication details
- Australian Academy of Science. Reports, pp.1-76
- Publisher
- Australian Academy of Science
- ISBN
- 9780858478459
- Organisation Unit
- Library Services; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99674898702621
- Output Type
- Report
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