Research

Data collected from observations and experiments have always been the basis of science. Increasing digitalization and the associated increase in research data as well as the advances in data science in recent decades have opened up unimagined possibilities for all fields of research and led to a paradigm shift in all scientific fields. Every phase in the life cycle of data (Shah et al. 2022) has been revolutionized: a) the collection of data, b) its processing; c) its analysis and integration into model systems and products; d) the sharing of data; e) its publication; f) its archiving and also g) the possibilities of data reuse. All of this has been and continues to be accompanied by diverse and promising innovations that entail new opportunities for gaining knowledge and at the same time pose challenges for researchers and science management.

As the old saying goes, “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” What, then, is the name for a jack of all trades who is also a master in one field—or even several? The answer: the modern researcher.