Abstract

The sharing of research data is a hot topic at the international level, especially due to the development of e-science, based on collaborative working methods that use technology in an intensive manner. The amount of digital data and of its sharing is growing fast, and a lack of proper management could limit the potential benefits to stakeholders (researchers, governments and public funding agencies, research managers and libraries, and finally the publishing sector). The aim of this review is first to place the sharing of electronic research data in the context of its appearance and of open environments; secondly, it describes the life cycle model of data preservation; finally, it describes several initiatives dealing with methodologies and technologies. In parallel, international developments and highlights needs that exist in Spain are described.