ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the potentials inherent in Virtual Research Environment (VRE) technology, whilst addressing the relationship that such environments have to their users. It focuses on the integration of user led design and evaluation in the VERA project, demonstrating the complex nature of creating VREs. The chapter concentrates on tools created for the archaeological community, issues of user led design, user feedback, and user needs analysis is applicable to the development of VREs for any discipline. A case study involving the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) funded Virtual Research Environment for Archaeology (VERA) project will be presented to demonstrate that close integration with the relevant community is crucial if a VRE is to provide computational tools that reflect research practice. De Roure and Goble describes the user-driven design principles underpinning the development of another of the JISC funded VRE demonstrator project. VREs aim to support collaboration, encourage multidisciplinary research, allow the use of data, and facilitate the research environment.
