Development of a Public Internet Database

SCIPAS report nr. 5
Development of a Public Internet Database
of Science Shops
Jill Chopyak
July 2001
Study financed by the EC-DG XII programme
Improving the Human Research Potential and the Socio-Economic Knowledge Base (IHP)
Strategic Analysis of Specific Political Issues (STRATA)
(HPV1-CT-1999-00001)
Contact: Jill Chopyak, The Loka Institute,
P.O. Box 355, Amherst, MA USA
Tel. +1 413 559 5860, Fax. + 1 413 559 5811, E-mail [email protected]
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Development of a Public Internet Database of Science Shops
Jill Chopyak
SCIPAS report nr. 5
25
July 2001
90-5209-118-8
Publisher:
Science Shop for Biology, Utrecht University
Padualaan 8
3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: ++.31.30.2537363
Fax: ++.31.30.2535795
Cover design:
Lay out:
Norbert Steinhaus
Caspar de Bok
Use and single copy/print of this reports is free. The use of parts of the text, tables, figures etc. of the
report is allowed free of charge when full reference is made to the report.
© Copyright on the report remains with the authors.
When referring to this report please state the authors + title + publisher + date
(European Commission financed project SCIPAS - HPV1-CT-1999-00001)
The SCIPAS consortium appreciates any notification of the public use of this publication through an
e-mail to the SCIPAS secretariat at [email protected] or a copy of the publication to the Science Shop
for Biology.
Acknowledgment
This report is the output of workpackage 5 of the SCIPAS project (Study and Conference on
Improving Public Access to Science through Science Shops). It was awarded financial
support by the European Commission through the contract HPV1-CT-1999-00001 under the
5th Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological
Development and Demonstration Activities (1998 to 2002), and its specific programme
“Improving the Human Research Potential and the Socio-Economic Knowledge Base”
(“Strategic Analysis of Specific Political Issues”). This financial support by the EC was
essential for the production of this report.
Information and feedback from members of the SCIPAS consortium, participants at the
Living Knowledge conference in Leuven and especially those who attended the workshop on
the database and journal contributed to this report. Also, Munex, Inc. and Tortus-Tek, Inc.
contributed to the technical aspects of the report and database design. Appendix 1 and 2
were developed by technicians at Tortus Tek, Inc.
Jill Chopyak
Amherst MA, USA
July 2001
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Table of contents
Acknowledgment................................................................................................................. 3
Summary.............................................................................................................................. 5
1
1.1
1.2
2
Introduction.............................................................................................................. 6
Science Shops..................................................................................................... 6
The SCIPAS project............................................................................................. 6
Background.............................................................................................................. 9
3
3.1
3.2
Objectives ...............................................................................................................10
Technical objectives ...........................................................................................10
Content objectives ..............................................................................................10
4
Methods...................................................................................................................11
5
Results.....................................................................................................................12
5.1
Technical ............................................................................................................12
5.2
Content...............................................................................................................12
5.2.1 Overview .....................................................................................................12
5.2.2 Public-access screens .................................................................................12
5.2.3 Registered organisations and administrator administrative screens.............14
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
7
Conclusions and recommendations......................................................................17
Database maintenance .......................................................................................17
Additional technologies .......................................................................................17
Translation issues and capabilities .....................................................................18
References ..............................................................................................................19
Appendix 1
Data structure ............................................................................................20
Appendix 2
SCIPAS database public access screens diagram..................................22
Appendix 3
SCIPAS database administrative screen .................................................23
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Summary
Community-based research is a methodology gaining greater recognition world-wide.
Institutions that promote and conduct community-based research are called by different
names in different locales (“science shops” in Europe and “community research centers” in
the United States), but the basic purpose is the same: to provide independent, participatory
research support in response to concerns experienced by civil society.
In general, the organisational structures (heretofore referred to as “science shops”) have the
following objectives:
• provide civil society with knowledge and skills through research and education;
• provide their services on an affordable basis;
• promote and support public access to and influence on science and technology;
• create equitable and supportive partnerships with civil society organisations;
• enhance understanding among policymakers and education and research institutions of
the research and education needs of civil society;
• enhance the transferable skills of students, community representatives and researchers.
The term 'science' is used in its broadest sense, incorporating social and human sciences, as
well as natural, physical, engineering and technical sciences.
The following report is one of the workpackages of the SCIPAS (Study and Conference on
Improving Public Access to Science) project funded under the Fifth Framework Programme
of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration
Activities, under the program “Improving the Human Research Potential and the SocioEconomic Knowledge Base.”
As part of the SCIPAS project, the following report examines the need for an electronic
means of network communication, focusing on the development of an Internet-based,
publicly-accessible database of science shops and science shop activities.
The report argues how an electronic communications infrastructure can enhance the
development of an international network, and outlines the design of the web-based database,
concluding with recommendations for further development.
The database will allow network members – and the general public – to search for science
shop activities world-wide. It will also provide an infrastructure for future analysis of science
shop activities, and will provide the basis for a network website, including a web-based
location for publishing and advertising the journal Living Knowledge.
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1 Introduction
1.1
Science Shops
In addition to the demands made on research and development by commerce and industry,
“civil society” organisations have their own research needs. Diffusion of knowledge often
focuses on communication from researchers to society, but increasingly there is a demand
for communication from society to researchers. This is the concept of ”social demand” for
knowledge. (Valenduc and Vendramin 1995, p.52). Different types of interfaces exist
between researchers and society, one of which is the so called ”science shop”. Science
shops are organisations created as mediators between citizen groups (trade unions,
pressure groups, non-profit organisations, social groups, environmentalists, consumers,
residents associations, etc.) and research institutions (universities, independent research
facilities).
Science shops are important actors in community-based research (CBR). There are many
differences in the way science shops are organised and operate, as well as some important
parallels.
A science shop provides independent, participatory research support in response to
concerns experienced by civil society.
There is not one dominant organisational structure defining a science shop. How science
shops are organised and operate is highly dependent on their context. The above definition
of a science shop might also include organisations that do not self-define as a science shop.
Organisations that meet the definition of a science shop and do provide civil society with
knowledge and skills through research and education on an affordable basis will be taken
into account. The term 'science' is used in its broadest sense, incorporating social and
human sciences, as well as natural, physical, engineering and technical sciences.
All science shops seek to:
• provide civil society with knowledge and skills through research and education;
• provide their services on an affordable basis;
• promote and support public access to and influence on science and technology;
• create equitable and supportive partnerships with civil society organisations;
• enhance understanding among policymakers and education and research institutions of
the research and education needs of civil society;
• enhance the transferable skills and knowledge students, community representatives and
researchers.
1.2
The SCIPAS project
This document is one of the seven documents of the project called SCIPAS (Study and
Conference on Improving Public Access to Science through science shops). It has been
awarded financial support by the European Commission through the contract HPV1-CT1999-00001 under the 5th Framework Programme of the European Community for
Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (1998 to 2002), and its
specific programme "Improving the Human Research Potential and the Socio-Economic
Knowledge Base" ("Strategic Analysis of Specific Political Issues").
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The SCIPAS project led to seven reports and a scientific conference. The executive
consortium consisted of institutes from The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Northern Ireland,
Denmark, Israel, Romania, South Africa and the USA. The seven studies that were done in
preparation to the conference are:
1. Compiling an inventory of different ways to organise and operate a science shop in
different countries, including the participating countries. Identify best practices, and
internal and external pros and cons of various operational options. Investigate the impact
on the social and environmental conditions of citizen groups.
2. Compile a report on success and failure in starting new science shops and lessons to be
learned to facilitate and support the creation of new science shops.
3. Make an inventory of needs and resources for training programs for science shop staff
members. Identify mechanisms for matching science shop staff with training programs.
4. Describe the options for setting up an international science shop magazine or other
means (e.g., an Internet archive) for publishing science shop research results and policy
issues internationally.
5. Set up a free, publicly available Internet database of existing science shops and facilitate
Internet contacts among science shops. Make an inventory of options for using
automated translation facilities and interesting links.
6. Investigate the impact and develop strategies for how science shops can contribute, and
are contributing, to the development of university education and research, i.e., their
impact on curricula and research agenda's.
7. Investigate the potential benefits of, and the conditions for, transnational co-operation
among science shops, including transnational research collaborations.
The conference ‘Living Knowledge’, was held in Leuven, Belgium, from 25-27 January 2001.
It was attended by 106 people from 19 different countries over 4 continents. This conference
was the starting point for the European network of science shops, provisionally entitled
‘Living Knowledge’.
Beyond its intrinsic value, the conference and the project documents are an indispensable
milestone for laying the foundation of an international or European network of science shops.
This network includes the four dozen science shops currently existing within the European
Union and can facilitate the creation of new science shops throughout Europe (including
less-favoured regions). The network can also develop collaborative relationships with
science shop-like institutions and networks outside of Europe. Ultimately, the benefits will be:
1. Increased visibility and accessibility: Science shops become more publicly visible, thus
more accessible to potential client groups. It opens avenues for support from universities
and citizens, as well as policy makers.
2. Improved documentation and evaluation: New participants (e.g. newly erected science
shops) get support more easily, by standardisation of documents, protocols, etc without
neglecting their regional context.
3. Dissemination of results: Research results become more widely disseminated (including
internationally). Successful research models can be replicated and further developed.
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4. Collaboration: Collaboration yields synergy and helps utilising previous experience. More
comprehensive studies can be done. Citizen groups driven studies on transnational
issues become more practicable. Science shop policy and strategies will also benefit
from co-operation.
5. Quality control: A network enables standardisation in documenting, evaluating, archiving
and retrieving science shop research results.
This report, along with the reports of the other six workpackages, are milestones in achieving
such a European network.
In other studies in the SCIPAS project (e.g. workpackage 1 (Gnaiger and Martin, 2001) is
concerned with best practices and workpackage 3 (De Bok, 2001) deals with training
programmes) more attention will be paid to how science shops or their equivalents (e.g.
wetenschapswinkel, intermediu, wissenschaftsladen, videnskapbutikken, community based
research centre) are organised and how they operate.
One of the aspects of creating an international network is effective communication between
Network members. Technical advances of the past decade have made networking across
geographical borders possible in ways that were previously inconceivable. Electronic
communication is now one of the primary means of communicating world-wide. On-line
databases are becoming more widely used by commercial and non-commercial
organisations to share information, increase organisational output, and improve project
results. The use of such a database for sharing information about community-based research
and science shop activities has been tested in the U.S. with considerable success.
This workpackage explores trends in electronic communication worldwide, and offers
suggestions for the development and maintenance of an online database for science shop
activity.
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2 Background
The development of any network is based on a belief that sharing information, resources,
strategies and ideas creates a synergy of relationships making the “output” of the network
larger than the sum of its parts. In addition, it is the belief that bringing together members of a
community – in whatever way – encourages debate, deliberation and resolution of shared
issues, and allows for greater input from diverse stakeholders (London, 1997).
Organisations have internally used a variety of information-sharing tools – such as databases
– for years. They have been used as a means of tracking and sharing information as well as
managing client or customer lists. With the rise of electronic communication over the past
twenty years, such information sharing has moved from internal organisational
communication to the sharing of information between organisations or between individuals
geographically located in different areas.
Combining the resources of electronic communication with traditional information-sharing
techniques has allowed networks of all types to increase their scope and have more impact
on a global level. On-line database development has increased, particularly in the past ten
years (Quay, 1998), and has allowed organisations to increase their capacity for sharing
knowledge, information, and resources.
In the development of an international network of science shops, electronic communication
and sharing of information is an essential part of the network’s development. On-line
communication will help to facilitate collaboration among science shop projects and
practitioners.
Today, where information is power, the ability to share knowledge is particularly important in
creating positive social change. With this in mind, the Loka Institute launched the Community
Research Network in 1995 with the vision of a society in which individuals have access to the
information they need to become effective decision-makers within their communities.
In an effort to enhance the Community Research Network infrastructure, the Loka Institute
developed an on-line database as a tool for community-based research practitioners worldwide. It’s initial development aimed at linking community and grassroots activists with
researchers that could help them in solving problems they face in their communities. This
initial database was a list of organisations and individuals who conduct community-based
research, and listed specific topic areas and methodologies used in their projects. With over
100 entries, this database provided the basis for establishing a more dynamic and userfriendly infrastructure that could network activities internationally and enhance the
development of the international science shop network.
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3 Objectives
The primary objective of this workpackage is to develop a framework for a free, publicly
available Internet database of existing science shops that provides a support infrastructure to
facilitate collaboration among science shop projects and practitioners.
3.1
Technical objectives
The SCIPAS database aims to have a data architecture that allows for extensive content
components. The database will use software that allows for greater flexibility in terms of
searches, adding and deleting information, database management, and international
capability. The database will be housed at a commercial Internet Data Center that will handle
data backups, statistical traffic analysis, disaster preparedness and application software
maintenance.
3.2
Content objectives
The SCIPAS database will provide the user with information about science shops, science
shop projects, publications, research tools, methodology, and other resources. It will also
allow the user to search by a variety of options, including: organisation type, research
project, science shop staff, client type, project location, methodology, project output, project
impact, and publication references.
Database content will be entered by individuals via the Web, and will be maintained by them
through a login/password system that provides only the author of the record access to that
record’s maintenance page. The network secretariat (or an agreed-upon appointed
organisation) will be responsible for the overall database maintenance. Database content is
owned by the SCIPAS consortium and is available to the public at no charge.
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4 Methods
The construction of the database requires the ability of an individual with the technical skills
and understanding of on-line database construction. Thus the database design was
subcontracted, while the SCIPAS partners brainstormed the various components desired. A
prototype of the database was developed and presented to the SCIPAS consortium, to
participants of the “Living Knowledge” conference in January 2001, and to SCIPAS project
reviewers. Comments from these various individuals were then incorporated into the
database design.
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5 Results
5.1
Technical
The database will be designed using a UNIX-based software. This will allow for greatest
flexibility in terms of future growth and development of the database design. It will also allow
for universal use across borders. The database will initially be housed in the U.S. at a secure
server, with data backups, statistical traffic analysis, disaster preparedness and application
software maintenance.
5.2
Content
5.2.1
Overview
The online database will include the following elements:
1. List of organisations, projects and related information;
2. Administrative screens for database administrator to create certain limited-choice data
fields;
3. User screens to allow the public access to the information through a variety of search and
browse functions;
4. Registration Request for organisations who wish to contribute to the database project;
5. Approval & Publication rights for database administrator. Registration requests will be
held in a staging area of the database but will not go live until reviewed and approved by
administrator;
6. Secure login for registered users to access and modify their organisation’s information;
7. Administrative screens for registered users to input new project information. By logging in
on the site, they will be able to modify their organisation listing or any project data related
to that organisation;
8. Global login for database administrator to monitor and edit all database information;
9. An embryonic Website at www.living-knowledge.org to place the database access
screens into context, including:
a. Database Home Page
b. Search the Database
c. Frequently Asked Questions
d. Email the Database Administrator
5.2.2
Public-access screens
The following screens will be available – for free – to any user coming to the site.
• Default/Home Page with Navigation System:
While attractive, integrated and technically flawless pages are essential for the entire
site, the Home Page is the most important. The Home Page establishes the navigation
system and provides an overview of the database. This page will contain links to the
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the Search page, the Login screen and to the
Lost Password Retrieval Screen as described in Appendix B.
• Frequently Asked Questions:
This will be a listing of questions and answers generated from a database table and
maintained by database administrator. At this time no search function will be included on
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this portion of the site, but this feature may be of value as the number of questions
increases.
• Search the Database:
This page will present both search and browse functions.
The user will have the option to browse the organisations and projects data (select a choice
from a dropdown list) from each of the following fields:
• Browse by Organisation Type:
Selecting an entry in the Organisation Type list will bring up a list of Organisation names,
alphabetical by name.
•
Projects Listing:
Selecting an organisation will bring the user to the project listing for that organisation.
Each line in the projects list will show the project name, and field location. A link at the
top of the project listing will bring the user to a screen displaying the organisation
information.
Organisation Information – brings up a detail screen with all fields in the Organisations
table (see Appendix for field names). The Email address field will link directly to a mailto
screen, and URL’s will spawn a new browser instance. This screen will also include a link
to the Key Staff screen.
Key Staff – A link on the organisation detail screen will spawn a popup window listing all
key staff associated with the organisation. Each staff person will list all available
information, including Name, Title and Email. Email addresses will be directly clickable to
spawn a mailto link.
Project Details – Selecting a name from the Projects listing will bring up project details
including all information held in the projects database. Available Email addresses will link
directly to a Mailto window, and URL’s will spawn a new browser instance. Each project
detail screen will also include a link to the References listing for the project.
References Listing – This popup window will list each reference by Title and year of
publication. Each listing will be a hyperlink to the complete Reference Detail screen.
Reference Details – This popup window will list all available data for the particular
reference.
•
Browse by Organisation
Selecting from this list will bring the user directly to the Projects Listing for that
Organisation
•
Browse by Project Theme
Selecting from this list will bring the user to the Projects Listing for that project theme.
•
Browse by Client Type
Selecting from this list will bring the user to the Projects Listing for that client type.
•
Search
Because of the large number of fields to be searched and the volume of data anticipated,
we will construct several separate search input filters which will each search only a
section of the database.
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Search Choices will include the ability to search by Organisations, Projects, References.
When conducting the search by the different categories, it will scan the following fields:
Organisations – Name, State, Country
Key Staff – Last Name
Projects – Title, Description, Output, Impact, Funding Sources, Methodology, Field
Location
References – Title, Author, Publication Date
Search Results
•
•
•
•
Search Organisations
will bring up the Organisation list for the search criterion
Search Key Staff
will bring up the Key Staff list for the search criterion
Search Projects
will bring up the Projects listing for the search criterion
Search References
will bring up the References listing for the search criterion
5.2.3
Registered organisations and administrator administrative screens
This includes two sections – the screens which are used by the database administrators and
the screens which are used by Registered Organisations to maintain their data. The site
administrators’ screens will be reached via the web on a site administrative interface
provided by the contractor. The Registered Organisation’s administrative screens will be
reached via a secure login on the Database home page as described above.
Registered organisations administrative screens
•
Add Your Organisation
This screen contains a submittable form that collects all relevant information to be added
to the Organisation’s table of the database, including a dropdown list for Organisation
Type. The bottom of the form will contain a “continue” button which brings the user to the
Add Key People screen.
•
Add your Key People
This screen will contain the three necessary fields to add a new person to this table. At
the bottom an “add another” button will store that data and present a new blank screen. A
“finished” button will close this screen and submit all people and the organisation record
to the database
•
Login
Once the user has entered in their organisational information and has conducted an initial
registration with the database, the user can then return to edit organisational and project
information through the login function. Clicking on the login button on the main public
screen will bring up a login dialog box which contains spaces for the user’s login and
password. Valid logins will bring the user to the Main Administrative Screen.
•
Main Administrative Screen
This will allow the user to select from the following choices: Registered Organisation Edit,
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Key People Listing Edit, and Project Listing. Each of these is a link to another
administrative screen as described below.
Registered Organisation Edit – This screen allows the organisation to make changes to
their approved listing, and includes a dropdown listing for Organisation Type. Since the
organisation has already been approved and published live, there is no secondary
approval process before the changes go live. A “Submit” button sends the information to
the online database and returns the user to the Main Administrative Screen.
Organisation Key People Listing Edit – This will bring the user directly to the appropriate
organisation’s Key People Listing. Edits can be performed on the existing list, and an
“Add New Person” button will bring up the New Key Person administrative screen.
New Key Person – This screen will look similar to the “Add Your Key People” screen
described above, but will have a single “Submit” button which will return the user to a
refreshed “Key People Listing” screen showing the newly-added person.
•
Organisation Project Listing
This will be similar to the Projects Listing described above under Public-Access Screens,
but will contain a two links next to each project title. The first link will allow the user to
proceed to the Organisation Project Edit screen. The second link will bring the user to the
Project References Listing for that Project. Unlike the Public Access screen, it will not
contain a link to the Organisation information screen.
Organisation Project Edit – This screen will be a submittable form including fields for all
data fields contained within the Projects table of the database, including dropdown lists
for Project Theme and Client Type. A “Submit” button will add the data to the site
database and return the user to a refreshed Project Listing screen showing the newly
added project. Since the organisation has already been approved for publication, any
new projects will be published live to the site database without any review/approval
process.
Project References Listing – This will be presented as a listing by title only of each
reference for the selected Project. Each listing will be a link to the appropriate Project
References Edit screen. An “Add New Reference” button brings up the New Reference
screen.
Project References Edit – This screen will be a submittable form which displays all data
fields for the selected Reference. A “Submit” button sends the information to the live
database and returns the user to a refreshed Project References Listing.
New Reference – This screen is essentially the same as the Project References Edit
screen, but displays all blank fields.
Administrative Navigation – For simplicity, each administrative screen will contain a link
back to the Main Administrative Screen.
Database administrator screens
•
New Registration Notification
Whenever a new registration is submitted, an email notification will be sent to a
designated email box of the database administrator informing staff of the pending new
registration. A link within the Email will bring the user to the New Registration Approval
screen.
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•
New Registration Approval
This screen is the same form as “Add Your Organisation” but displays the appropriate
data for the record being reviewed. All fields are editable. The bottom of the form
contains an “Approve” and a “Reject” button. Approve publishes the information to the
live public database. Reject sends out a rejection email. Note: since there is no way for
the administrator to know whether the key people listings are right or wrong, there is no
facility for these listings to be edited before publication. If an organisation is approved, the
key people listings are automatically approved at the same time.
Rejection Email – This is sent out automatically to the email address supplied during the
organisation setup. It will contain the submitted organisation information (but not the key
people listings), state that the listing has been rejected and that the organisation may
contact the administrator for further information.
•
Site Administrative Interface
This screen is for use by database administrator and will contain links to two subscreens:
Edit Organisation Information and Edit FAQ Listing
Edit Organisation Information – This screen will contain a dropdown window containing
all of the Organisations in the database. Selecting any organisation brings the user to the
Main Administration Screen (see above) for that organisation.
Edit FAQ Listings – This screen is a scrolling form displaying all FAQ’s in the database,
grouped by topic. The top listing on the page will be blank as an Add New Listing form,
and a Save button next to each listing will submit the entire form to the database and
return the user to a refreshed Edit FAQ listings page showing a new blank record at the
top of the listing.
•
Edit Dropdown Lists
This screen contains several windows which allow the user to edit and add new records
to the following lists: Organisation Types, Project Themes, Client Types.
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6 Conclusions and recommendations
From this report, it is clear that the future development and maintenance of communication
technologies are an important part of developing an international science shop network. The
SCIPAS database provides network members with the ability to track and share information
about research projects, publications, methodologies, and impacts. The Database is a key
component of the Network’s infrastructure. A free, publicly accessible database will make the
development and recruitment of Network members internationally possible. The database will
provide the basis for the technology component of the Network, such as a website, listserve,
and other technologies. The database will also report on the results and output of projects
conducted by network members. Such information can be used as a tool for evaluating the
overall network, activities of network members, and general analysis of community-based
research/science shop activities.
The Internet and electronic communication provide geographically dispersed communities
the ability to share information, strategies, solutions, and resources. The SCIPAS on-line
Database is just one component of a longer-term technology strategy that needs to be
developed by Network members. Issues that require discussion include database
maintenance, the use of other communication technologies (e.g. listserve, website), and
translation issues and capabilities.
6.1
Database maintenance
The database is designed to minimize the need for extensive content management by the
network secretariat. As an organisation or individual enters his/her information into the
database, they will be provided with a login and password that will allow them to edit and
monitor their information. However, there is need for continued administration and
maintenance of the site, and an individual who is available for questions or technical
difficulties. A future Network proposal should provide resources for such an individual.
There is also need for continued maintenance of the site on the technical end. Discussion
should include the possibility of mirroring the database for location on multiple servers in
different locations as the network expands.
6.2
Additional technologies
As stated above, the use of communication technologies will play an important role in the
development of the Network, and a long-term technology strategy needs to be developed
with Network members.
6.2.1
Website
In the immediate term, there is a need for a Living Knowledge website. The domain
registration for the site (www.living-knowledge.org) has already been secured and will be
used as the Home Page for the Database. The Living Knowledge conference site
http://www.bio.uu.nl/living-knowledge is an initial framework for the development of a
Network site, and the current content needs to be moved to the formal Living Knowledge
Web Page.
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Site content could include:
• SCIPAS database link;
• other links/resources
• bulletin page that is updated with daily stories that have a science and technology
interest;
• threaded discussion capabilities;
• project description and development;
• network member information.
Website development would require resources – both staff and monetary. This would also be
extended to a staff person within the secretariat responsible for the website’s continuous
development and maintenance.
6.2.2
Listserve
In preparation for the SCIPAS conference, January 25-27, 2001, a Living Knowledge list was
established to discuss the development of the Network. The longer-term continuation of this
list needs to be discussed by Network members. The Community Research Network List
(CRN-List) currently exists as a discussion forum for individuals interested in communitybased research. The merging of these lists is possible in the future.
6.2.3
Other technologies
The incorporation of other communication technologies could assist the Network in its
development. For example, video conferencing, Web-based instant communications tools,
and promotional media such as video could not only be an essential part of promoting
communication between Network members but also be an important way to promote
community-based research and science shop activities. Another technology that could be of
value is a way to pull the data out of the database to do general analysis (such as SPSS) of
the overall nature of the network. Such technologies may then be linked to the site for such
analysis to be done on-line.
6.3
Translation issues and capabilities
An international network needs to provide the capacity for sharing of information in the native
languages of Network members. Rudimentary, free translation software is currently available
via the Web (e.g. see http://www.thefreecountry.com/ecentricity/translation.shtml and also
http://translator.go.com/) However, to fully develop the Network’s international membership
and resources, a more sophisticated translation capability is necessary. This makes available
documents, research reports and other resources to a broader audience that would
otherwise be hampered by language barriers. Future resources are needed to build the
capacity in the website and other technology.
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7 References
Bensleben, Erik and Gary Orthuber (2000)
“Introduction to Databases.” Compumentor.
http://www.compumentor.org/resources/articles/107.html.
Cravens, Jane (1996)
“Database, Software and Technology Use Tip Sheets.” Coyote Communications Database &
Software Tip Sheets. Coyote Communications
http://www.coyotecom.com/database/index.html.
De Bok, Caspar (2001)
“Training programmes for science shops” SCIPAS report nr. 3. Science Shop for Biology.
Utrecht, the Netherlands.
http://www.bio.uu.nl/living-knowledge
Gnaiger, Andrea and Eileen Martin (2001)
“Operational Options”. SCIPAS report nr. 1. Science Shop for Biology. Utrecht, the
Netherlands.
http://www.bio.uu.nl/living-knowledge
London, Scott (1997)
“Civic Networks: Building Community on the Net.” Paper prepared for the Kettering
Foundation
http://www.scottlondon.com/reports/networks.html.
Murray, Bruce (1995)
“Society, Cyberspace and the Future: How Can Interactive Communication Technology
Enhance Harmonious and Functional Communities at all Scales Worldwide?.” Report of an
Exploratory Aspen Workshop.
http://www.cco.caltech.educ/~rich/aspen.html.
Quay, Ray (1998)
“The Electronic Village: Impact of Electronic Communication Trends on the Form and
Function of Local Communities.”
http://www.asu.edu/caed/proceedings97/quay1.html.
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Appendix 1
Data structure
LEGEND:
Table Name
Primary Key Field
Foreign Key Field
Standard field
Required field*
Table #1 Organisation Types
Organisation Type ID
Organisation Type*
Table #2 Organisations
Organisation ID
Organisation Type ID*
Organisation Name*
Description
Address1*
Address2
City*
State*
Zip*
Email Address*
Telephone
Fax
URL
Login
Password
Password Question
Password Response
Record Create Date
Record Last Edit Date
Table #3 Key People
Person ID
Prefix
First*
Middle
Last*
Suffix
Title
Email
Table #4 Project Themes
Project Theme ID
Project Theme*
Table #5 Client Types
Client Type ID
Client Type*
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Table #6 Projects
Project ID
Organisation ID*
Project Theme ID
Project Title*
Client Type ID
Client
Field Location
Project URL
Key Participants
Project Lead Email Address
Description
Methodology
Output
Impact
Funding Sources
Staff Hours to Complete
Project Budget
Record Create Date
Record Last Edit Date
Table #7 References
Reference ID
Project ID
Publication
Title
Author
Year of Publication
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Appendix 2
SCIPAS
SCIPAS database public access screens diagram
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Appendix 3
SCIPAS
SCIPAS database administrative screen
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SCIPAS REPORTS
SCIPAS report 1:
Science Shops: Operational options
Andrea Gnaiger & Eileen Martin
FBI, Innsbruck, Austria & Science Shop Queen’s University Belfast, UK
SCIPAS report 2:
Success and failure in starting Science Shops
Henk Mulder, Thomas Auf der Heyde, Ronen Goffer & Carmen Teodosiu
Chemistry Shop, University of Groningen. Groningen, the Netherlands
SCIPAS report 3:
Training programmes for science shops
Caspar de Bok
Science Shop for Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
SCIPAS report 4:
The development of an international science shop magazine
Norbert Steinhaus
Wissenschaftsladen Bonn,. Bonn, Germany
SCIPAS report 5:
Development of a public Internet database of science shops
Jill Chopyak
The Loka Institute, Amherst MA, USA
SCIPAS report 6:
The impact of science shops on university curricula and research
Merete Hende and Michael Søgaard Jørgensen
Science Shop Technical University of Denmark. Lyngby, Denmark
SCIPAS report 7:
Living Knowledge: the network
Accomplishments and further opportunities for developing an international network of science
shops.
Maaike Lürsen & Dick Sclove
Science Shop for Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
SCIPAS report 8:
Living Knowledge: conference proceedings 2001
Maaike Lürsen & Caspar de Bok (eds.)
Science Shop for Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
All SCIPAS reports are available as pdf-files at http://www.bio.uu.nl/living-knowledge or by
contacting the Science Shop for Biology ([email protected], tel. ++31.30.253 7363)
For conditions of use see the colophon.
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