Carver Jeffrey C, Weber Nic, Ram Karthik, Gesing Sandra, Katz Daniel S
Computer Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States of America.
Information School, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America.
PeerJ Comput Sci. 2022 May 5;8:e963. doi: 10.7717/peerj-cs.963. eCollection 2022.
Research software is a critical component of contemporary scholarship. Yet, most research software is developed and managed in ways that are at odds with its long-term sustainability. This paper presents findings from a survey of 1,149 researchers, primarily from the United States, about sustainability challenges they face in developing and using research software. Some of our key findings include a repeated need for more opportunities and time for developers of research software to receive training. These training needs cross the software lifecycle and various types of tools. We also identified the recurring need for better models of funding research software and for providing credit to those who develop the software so they can advance in their careers. The results of this survey will help inform future infrastructure and service support for software developers and users, as well as national research policy aimed at increasing the sustainability of research software.
研究软件是当代学术研究的关键组成部分。然而，大多数研究软件的开发和管理方式与其长期可持续性相悖。本文展示了一项对1149名研究人员（主要来自美国）的调查结果，内容涉及他们在开发和使用研究软件时所面临的可持续性挑战。我们的一些主要发现包括，研究软件开发者反复需要更多机会和时间来接受培训。这些培训需求贯穿软件生命周期和各类工具。我们还发现，人们一直需要更好的研究软件资助模式，以及为软件开发者提供认可，以便他们能够在职业生涯中取得进步。这项调查结果将有助于为未来针对软件开发人员和用户的基础设施及服务支持，以及旨在提高研究软件可持续性的国家研究政策提供参考。
