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- The FAIR (\u2018findable\u2019, \u2018accessible\u2019, \u2018interoperable\u2019, and \u2018reusable\u2019) principles of data management have now been applied to the development of research software.<\/li>\n
- The FAIR for Research Software (FAIR4RS) principles have been published alongside practical illustrative examples, to give researchers clear guidance on their implementation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/p>\nDespite the publication of the FAIR (\u2018findable\u2019, \u2018accessible\u2019, \u2018interoperable\u2019 and \u2018reusable\u2019) principles<\/a> of data management in 2016, data discoverability continues to be a challenging field, hampered by issues such as lack of awareness<\/a> and inadequate implementation<\/a>. An article<\/a> by Michelle Barker et al in Scientific Data<\/em><\/a>\u00a0outlines how FAIR principles can be applied to the development of research software, to improve data management and stewardship.<\/p>\n
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FAIR principles can be applied to the development of research software, to improve data management and stewardship.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Developed by the FAIR for Research Software (FAIR4RS) working group, the FAIR4RS principles recommend that software and, when relevant, associated metadata are:<\/p>\n
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- Findable<\/strong>: simple for humans and machines to find, including via a unique identifier, and described by rich metadata<\/li>\n
- Accessible<\/strong>: retrievable using standardised protocols<\/li>\n
- Interoperable<\/strong>: interoperable with other software and\/or by application<\/li>\n
- Reusable<\/strong>: \u201cCan be understood, modified, built upon, or incorporated into other software\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The authors provide three real-life examples of the successful implementation of the FAIR4RS principles, to give researchers clear, practical guidance:<\/p>\n
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- A command-line tool<\/strong>:\u00a0Comet<\/a> is an open-source tool. The details of its development, its metadata, and the software itself are all freely available and findable.<\/li>\n
- Complex research software<\/strong>: The software PuReGoMe<\/a> analysed real-time data on public attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The software has a unique identifier and independently accessible metadata that are searchable and indexable.<\/li>\n
- Graphical user interfaces<\/strong>: gammaShiny<\/a> is available in a national archive under a public licence and has a persistent unique identifier.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The aspirational FAIR4RS principles provide a means to further improve the transparency and reproducibility of research. To ensure their effective implementation, software owners and developers should consider the principles early in the development process.<\/p>\n
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- Complex research software<\/strong>: The software PuReGoMe<\/a> analysed real-time data on public attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The software has a unique identifier and independently accessible metadata that are searchable and indexable.<\/li>\n
- Accessible<\/strong>: retrievable using standardised protocols<\/li>\n
- Findable<\/strong>: simple for humans and machines to find, including via a unique identifier, and described by rich metadata<\/li>\n
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