Research data: characterization of key functions

Updated at: 30/09/2025

 

 

Research data plays a central role in scientific activity. Their production, structuring, and dissemination constitute a scientific undertaking in its own right. Producing FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data requires a set of skills and functions that too often remain invisible or poorly recognized.

To shed light on this landscape, this report provides a characterization of the key operational functions mobilized throughout the data lifecycle: from collection to dissemination, including structuring, processing, documentation, and provision.

Learn more about the seven operational functions and the challenges in the article by Ouvrir la Science (french)
Read the report Research Data: Characterization of Key Functions Related to Their Management, Exploitation, Dissemination, and Use. Ministry of Higher Education and Research. 2025 on HAL (french)