03 Researchfriendly Org2
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This document discusses establishing a bridge between the free and open source software (FLOSS) community and FLOSS researchers through a website called ResearchFriendly.org. It aims to create win-win situations by addressing researchers' needs for survey responses and data access, while minimizing interruptions to developers. The site would coordinate periodic surveys, data requests, and feedback to build trust between the two groups and encourage collaboration. Researchers and developers would both benefit through improved understanding and validated tools. Open governance and outreach are needed to involve relevant institutions and projects.
03 Researchfriendly Org2
- 1. ResearchFriendly.org Community meets Research Research meets Community Gregorio Robles grex@gsyc.escet.urjc.es Universidad Rey Juan Carlos http://libresoft.urjc.es Brussels, February 23rd 2008 Let's introduce Sally � If you're a FLOSS developer: – You get a request to answer a research survey (too) many times a year (No, for the tenth time: I won't go out with you!) – Your servers get overloaded by mining researchers (Can't you leave us alone and stop bothering?) – You don't understand the aims/output of the research community (They're always just thinking in football and beer!) – ...
- 2. Let's talk about Harry � If you're a researcher: – You want your surveys filled out (if possible by a large population) (Developers are really difficult to understand!) – You want access to the data of the project (I want to know you better!) – You want feedback and comments on your research (Did you like it?) – ... Harry meets Sally: RF.org � We need bridges between the FLOSS community and FLOSS researchers � We need to build win-win situations – You don't bug me that often with surveys – I get my data for research � We have to create trust – It's not only about data nor surveys � Yes, this has to be a love story!
- 3. RF.org: The research view � 'Official'/periodic surveys � Request for data � Request for feedback � Other types of collaboration (voluntary basis) RF.org: the community view � Only one research actor � All 'trouble' is redirected there � Research community gives comprehensive feedback
- 4. Benefits of RF.org - Research � Case I: Surveys – Call for surveys (with deadline) � Once every 6?, 9?, 12? months... – Some weeks of discussion – On-line survey available – Promoted by the project (high response rate!) – Survey data publicly available � Preservation of privacy – Future surveys may be different Benefits of RF.org - Research � CaseII: Validation of a supporting tool: – Developers volunteering for it – Requires trust, comprehension... – Promotes feedback in both directions
- 5. Some Issues (for Research) � Governance and coordination mechanisms � Coordination of data retrieval activities – mirroring, intermediate databases � Discussion forum about privacy issues – ethical and practical guidelines � Resources – Technical (not so much a problem... yet) – Human (web site, mirroring tasks, etc.) Approaching other researchers � We (URJC) are trying to contact as many research institutions as possible to set up a working group – Web site – Mailing list(s) – Wiki � Othergroups may join in the future anytime � Should be an open, self-organized group
- 6. Approaching the Community (a)Contact as many projects as possible (b)Start with a small number of them � Which will serve as an example (aka looking for the “I'll have what she's having”) The End (- a happy ending?) Thanks for your attention and interest! More information will be available at http://researchfriendly.org