"The core data set for research consists of aggregated or grouped data (so-called core data) from different thematic areas (employees, promotion of young researchers, third-party funding and finances, patents and spin-offs, publications, and research infrastructures). Examples of core data in the area of employees are full-time equivalents and number of persons. Once the core data set specification has been implemented, research institutions should be able to pass on these and other core data to data users on request. Core data are usually provided according to specific differentiations and aggregation levels, depending on the requirements of the report. Examples of differentiations for the core data mentioned are gender and/or personnel category. Aggregation levels refer - depending on the report requirements - to the breakdown of core data according to subject or organizational unit. There are different categories of core data, differentiations and aggregation levels: The core comprises the areas and elements that the Council of Science considers relevant for all research institutions in the science system. Those that are only relevant for reporting for specific research institutions are identified as elements of the so-called shell."

Extract from KDSF - Standard für Forschungsinformationen in Deutschland (Original content available in German only.)

Research information ("Forschungsinformationen") are descriptive data of the process of research. Research data ("Forschungsdaten"), on the other hand, are the basis or result of such research. Both are linked via (meta)data.

For more information on research data management, please contact the C³RDM.