Investigating Research Software and its Sustainability: A Study with Research Groups from a Brazilian University

Nome do aluno

Daniela Soares Feitosa

Título do trabalho

Investigating Research Software and its Sustainability: A Study with Research Groups from a Brazilian University

Resumo do trabalho

The increasing use of Research Software has instigated the scientific community's concern with its sustainability and ability to support the reproduction of studies by independent researchers. Sustainability is a multifaceted concept that embraces several dimensions: environmental resources, social and individual well-being, economic progress, and long-term technical feasibility. Software sustainability has to do with the software's ability to last and continue to be supported over time, implying the longevity and maintainability of the software and its communities. For research software, sustainability may foster long-term reproducibility. In this context, it is essential to understand and describe the current practice in universities and research laboratories concerning the development of sustainable research software. However, such information is seldom available, even for research projects funded by national agencies. Our research aims to characterize the current practice in a Brazilian university relative to the development and socio-technical sustainability of research software from the perspective of researchers.
We conducted a pilot study with a research group in Applied Physics, whose researchers and undergraduate interns historically developed most of the supporting research software.
We interviewed the leading investigator to collect information about his knowledge of research software and software engineering practices, the challenges and supporting factors to develop research software, and possible efforts to make it sustainable.
Then, following the assessment guidelines, we analyzed the sustainability of a research software developed by the group and reported the results. Last, we collected his feedback about the assessment results and our research method and instruments.
The pilot study allowed us to refine the study design aiming to increase the validity and reliability of a more comprehensive study to be undertaken with other research groups at the same University. Ongoing work includes the design of an assessment guide, comprising criteria and guidelines to analyze the sustainability of research software developed at the University.

Orientador

Christina von Flach Garcia Chavez

Membro Titular 1

Fernanda Madeiral (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Link para o curriculum lattes

https://fermadeiral.github.io/

Membro Titular 2

Ivan do Carmo Machado

Link para o curriculum lattes

http://lattes.cnpq.br/4430958315746203

Suplente 1

Paulo Roberto Miranda Meirelles (IME-USP)

Link para o curriculum lattes

http://lattes.cnpq.br/2193972715230641

Suplente 2

Claudio Sant'Anna Nogueira

Link para o curriculum lattes

http://lattes.cnpq.br/3228159608138969

Data do exame

15 Jan, 2024

Horário do exame

2:00 PM