Challenges in designing research infrastructure software in multi-stakeholder contexts

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Druskat, Stephan, Theis, Sabine
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Druskat, Stephan
Theis, Sabine
author_facet Druskat, Stephan
Theis, Sabine
contents This study investigates the challenges in designing research infrastructure software for automated software publication in multi-stakeholder environments, focusing specifically on the HERMES system. Through two quantitative surveys of research software engineers (RSEs) and infrastructure facility staff (IFs), it examines technical, organizational, and social requirements across these stakeholder groups. The study reveals significant differences in how RSEs and IFs prioritize various system features. While RSEs highly value compatibility with existing infrastructure, IFs prioritize user-focused aspects like system usability and documentation. The research identifies two main challenges in designing research infrastructure software: (1) the existence of multiple stakeholder groups with differing requirements, and (2) the internal heterogeneity within each stakeholder group across dimensions such as technical experience. The study also highlights that only half of RSE respondents actively practice software publication, pointing to potential cultural or technical barriers. Additionally, the research reveals discrepancies in how stakeholders view organizational aspects, with IFs consistently rating factors like responsibility structures and quality assurance as more important than RSEs do. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complexities involved in designing research infrastructure software and emphasize the need for systems that can accommodate diverse user groups while maintaining usability across different technical expertise levels.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_01492
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Challenges in designing research infrastructure software in multi-stakeholder contexts
Druskat, Stephan
Theis, Sabine
Software Engineering
Human-Computer Interaction
This study investigates the challenges in designing research infrastructure software for automated software publication in multi-stakeholder environments, focusing specifically on the HERMES system. Through two quantitative surveys of research software engineers (RSEs) and infrastructure facility staff (IFs), it examines technical, organizational, and social requirements across these stakeholder groups. The study reveals significant differences in how RSEs and IFs prioritize various system features. While RSEs highly value compatibility with existing infrastructure, IFs prioritize user-focused aspects like system usability and documentation. The research identifies two main challenges in designing research infrastructure software: (1) the existence of multiple stakeholder groups with differing requirements, and (2) the internal heterogeneity within each stakeholder group across dimensions such as technical experience. The study also highlights that only half of RSE respondents actively practice software publication, pointing to potential cultural or technical barriers. Additionally, the research reveals discrepancies in how stakeholders view organizational aspects, with IFs consistently rating factors like responsibility structures and quality assurance as more important than RSEs do. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complexities involved in designing research infrastructure software and emphasize the need for systems that can accommodate diverse user groups while maintaining usability across different technical expertise levels.
title Challenges in designing research infrastructure software in multi-stakeholder contexts
topic Software Engineering
Human-Computer Interaction
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.01492