The Institutionalization of NSDL: Multi-Institutional IT Systems in Evaluative Research

Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta GA

Investigators

Abstract

The National Science Foundation began the development of the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) several years ago and it is scheduled to come online this coming year. The NSDL is a connection or system of separate data or information sources. Bringing these disparate sources together is a complex issue, from both the technical perspective and organization dynamics This study will focus on the institutionalization of NSDL from both a technical and contextual perspective. The latter includes such factors as priorities and culture of the participating organizations, how they interact with the technical considerations. A comparative case study will be used, with the internet serving as a comparison, a system that has already been institutionalized and studied. The study will provide an evaluative framework to employ with the NSDL as it is implemented but will be applicable to large-scale IT systems, as well.