The Use of Scientific Data: A Content Analysis

In order to improve our understanding of scientific data users' data usage behaviors, which has been rarely studied in the fourth science paradigm--data-intensive science, this study conducted a content analysis of publications associated with a frequently cited data-intensive science project, called Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We analyzed 200 SDSS-related publications and identified the data used in each publication. Under the scope of SDSS project, we found that (1) nearly half studies used one data source only. A few studies were able to use three or more data sources; (2) studies that analyzed a small number of objects are the norm; (3) users are not only consumers of scientific data. They are also data producers; (4) studies that can utilize multiple large scale data sources are rare. Keywords Data-intensive science, Data usage behavior, Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: CORR
• Authors: Jian Zhang 0006, Chaomei Chen, Michael S. E. Vogeley
• Keywords: CORR 2010, Data Sources, Data-intensive Science, Education, Sloan Digital Sky Survey