Journal of Agricultural Big Data ›› 2025, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (2): 193-200.doi: 10.19788/j.issn.2096-6369.000063

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A Comparative Analysis of Multidisciplinary General-Purpose Scientific Data Platforms: Taking Zenodo and ScienceDB as Examples

HE HaoYu1,2(), HOU ChunMei1,2, SUN LiWei1,2, CHI XiuLi1,2, YE XiYan1,2   

  1. 1. Information Center, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Knowledge Computing and Intelligent Decision, Lanzhou 730000, China
  • Received:2024-09-06 Accepted:2024-10-18 Online:2025-06-26 Published:2025-06-23

Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to explore the similarities and differences between two representative multidisciplinary general-purpose scientific data platforms—Zenodo and ScienceDB—in terms of functionality, services, and community collaboration, and to propose their respective strengths and potential areas for improvement. The significance of this research lies in providing references for the optimization and improvement of scientific research data platforms, promoting the efficient management and utilization of scientific data, thereby contributing to the advancement of scientific research. The study employs a comparative analysis method to delve into the characteristics and differences of Zenodo and ScienceDB in aspects such as data storage capacity, sharing mechanisms, user interface design, technical support, community interaction, and data security and privacy protection. During the analysis process, a detailed comparison was made between the two platforms in terms of data submission and description, metadata requirements, data services, data statistics, and community services, to assess their service capabilities and features in the field of scientific data management. Zenodo enjoys a high reputation internationally with its user-friendly interface, flexible technical architecture, and robust community functions, while ScienceDB provides strong support for scientific data sharing in China and globally by adhering to the FAIR principles and emphasizing data governance. Both platforms have their advantages but also have room for improvement. Zenodo can further enhance its localized data services, and ScienceDB can learn from Zenodo's experience in community management to improve user experience. Ultimately, the continuous development and optimization of both platforms will jointly promote the progress of scientific research and the dissemination of knowledge.

Key words: scientific data platforms, Zenodo, ScienceDB, multidisciplinary, data sharing