Dataspace and its application in digital libraries

• Published in: Electronic library 2013-01, Vol.31 (6), p.688-702
• Main Authors: Borjigin, Chaolemen, Zhang, Yong, Xing, Chunxiao, Lan, Chao, Zhang, Jian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Business; Construction; Data base management systems; Data management; Data models; Data processing; Database Management Systems; Design; Digital libraries; Digital systems; Electronic Libraries; Exact sciences and technology; Implementation; Information and communication sciences; Information Management; Information science. Documentation; Information storage and retrieval systems; Information systems; Librarianship/library management; Library & information science; Library and information science. General aspects; Library Development; Library technology; Literature Reviews; Management Systems; Mathematical models; Methodology; Principles; R&D; Relational data bases; Research & development; Sciences and techniques of general use; Software; Studies; Tasks; Technological change; User Needs (Information)
• ISSN: 0264-0473; 1758-616X
• DOI: 10.1108/EL-02-2012-0017

Purpose – This paper aims to introduce dataspace into digital libraries in order to address its emerging data management challenges which stem from cross-domain, heterogeneous, and uncertain nature of data resources, based on looking into the fundamental principles, significant features, and research directions of dataspace. Design/methodology/approach – This research mainly employs three types of research methodologies: a literature study was conducted for revealing the fundamental principles, analyzing the significant features, and discussing the new research topics; knowledge engineering methodology is used to design the data model; software engineering methodology is applied to develop the reference framework and the digital library. Findings – This paper for the first time proposes a motion to build a Dataspace Support Digital Library (DSDL), and provides its data model, data management policies and a reference framework. Further, its implementation is described and some implications learned from the case study are also discussed. Practical implications – Introducing dataspace technologies into developing a digital library frees the developer to just focus on solving business challenges, rather than addressing non-business related, data management level tasks. In addition, the data model and the reference framework presented in this paper lay foundations for constructing Dataspace Support Digital Libraries. Originality/value – This is the first paper to introduce dataspaces into the design of digital libraries and is also the first paper to propose a novel data model, data management and reference framework for Dataspace Support Digital Libraries.