Managing research software

Research software is part of many research projects. It includes source code, scripts, algorithms, computing workflows and other software created during the research process or for a research purpose. For example, code used to combine and analyse datasets, run statistical analyses, generate figures or simulate data is considered research software.

Research software is a research output in its own right. Making it well managed and reusable can support reproducibility, enable others to build on your work, and help you meet funder and publisher requirements.

Research software is different from research data: it is executable and dynamic, and can change or become unusable as dependencies and software environments evolve. This means that good data management alone is not enough. Research software needs its own approach to the FAIR principles – Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR4RS).

Support

FAIR Software is one theme of Maastricht University’s Open Science Policy. To support researchers in making their software and code FAIR, the University Library is setting up research software stewardship services. The research software stewards have created a new infographic to introduce the concept of research software and highlight the importance of applying the FAIR principles to software.

You can also find more information about research software management on the portal.