A Proposed Technology Implementation Scheme for Virtual Research Environments

• In Event: Methodological and Theoretical Advances

Abstract

Virtual research facilities (VRE) are becoming increasingly common in the conduct of scientific research. A VRE holds the promise of improved coordination and collaboration among geographically dispersed scientists by enhancing communication and facilitating access to a shared base of information and research tools. A review of the current literature suggests that knowledge about VRE-based scientific communication and what makes it effective is relatively sparse. In this review we attempts to provide such a framework that captures the increasing complexity of VREs based on the configuration of ICTs they incorporate. We argue that based it is possible to create a continuum based on technological features present within a VRE and propose a model of VRE development. This model illustrates the steps of scientific activities, technologies to needed for those steps, and if implemented the type of VRE we will get based on technological configuration.

Authors

• Iftekhar Ahmed, U of North Texas

• Marshall Scott Poole, U of Illinois