RDFBones - making research explicit: an extensible digital standard for research data.

Area of Science:

• Physical Anthropology
• Osteology
• Digital Data Standards

Background:

• The diversity within physical anthropology, including osteology, complicates the adoption of uniform digital data standards.
• Existing monolithic standards often require modification, hindering data compatibility and integration across studies.
• Challenges in tracking research data compatibility impede unified database systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel approach to digital data standards in physical anthropology.
• To address the limitations of existing comprehensive data standards.
• To facilitate data compatibility and processing across diverse anthropological research.

Main Methods:

• Developed RDFBones, a Resource Description Framework (RDF) ontology.
• Focused on defining individual data items as modular building blocks.
• Created classes and properties for describing anthropological research and materials.

Main Results:

• RDFBones allows researchers to define their methodology using predefined data elements.
• The approach makes the degree of compatibility between different investigations evident.
• Enables the publication and sharing of formulated standards to promote uniform methodology.

Conclusions:

• RDFBones provides a flexible, modular standard for digital data in physical anthropology.
• This approach supports adaptable standards rather than prescribing rigid ones.
• Facilitates sustained long-term data storage and promotes methodological uniformity.