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National Collaboratories Applying Information Technology for Scientific Research (1993) / Chapter Skim
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1 SCIENCE, COLLABORATION, AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Pages 5-11

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From page 5...
... This is the individual who "knows more and more about less and less." At the same time, the complexity of many of the problems now being addressed by scientists has led to an increase in interdisciplinary research, as well as to the recognition that computers and communications, or information technology, have become essential tools for handling complexity. The requirements for collecting and sharing massive amounts of data, the difficulties of developing and working with models of complex phenomena, the requirements for massive computation (achievable through shared high-performance computing systems or through interconnected distributed computing 5
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From page 6...
... Each activity can be undertaken in different ways and with differing outcomes, shaped by human nature and the prevailing conventional wisdom as well as by Me history, maturity, and distinguishing characteristics of different scientific disciplines. SOURCE: Reprinted, with permission, from Joshua Lederberg's preface to The Excitement and Fascination of Science, Volume 3, Part 1, (c)
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From page 7...
... Software problems range from an inability to access previously collected data to a lack of software for data analysis. Human resources problems range from not being able to find knowledgeable technical staff to not being able to pay scientifically attuned support personnel.
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From page 8...
... :of: orodu'ct:s ~ resultina from':~t~he ~ cooDeration- ) A goal of the collaboratory concept is to render irrelevant the actual location of equipment and instrumentation and to make possible the creation of virtual laboratories using networked facilities.
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From page 10...
... , the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board of the National Research Council convened a committee in December 1991 to study the need for and benefits of collaboration in scientific research, factors determining the effectiveness of collaboration, and the ability of information technology- specifically of electronically integrated colIaboratories- to support and enhance interactive scientific research. In addressing these issues, the committee focused on three discrete areas of scientific investigation-oceanography, in which the difficulty and expense of gathering data and the interdependence of modelers and experimentalists provide motivation for greater collaboration (Chapter 2~; space physics, which has of necessity used extensive computational technology in the analysis of data collected by cooperatively fielded space- and ground-based instruments (Chapter 3~; and gene mapping and sequencing, research that has led to construction of and reliance on massive databases (Chapter 4~.
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From page 11...
... 11 @ Increase awareness of 1be utility of inaction Necrology For the conduct of sciemiAc research, particularly in the ~ of coll~ormories; a~ ~ Idemi~ goals, o~ecOves, am costs of developing collaboratories tab would Sieve concrete payoff in 1be ~ of evinced scientific output.
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Key Terms

  • electronic mail
  • collaboratory concept
  • primary work
  • support personnel
  • individual scientists

  • sharing data
  • scientific process
  • massive amounts
  • national collaboratory
  • digital libraries

  • include tools
  • laboratory instruments
  • incentives imposed
  • computer networking
  • interconnected distributed

  • specific information
  • development partnerships
  • distributed computer
  • proper information
  • growing understanding

  • monitor conditions
  • educate researchers
  • prevailing conventional
  • scientific support
  • stabilize disciplinary

  • orbiting satellite
  • process encompasses
  • networking technology
  • gathering data
  • telecommunications board


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