ABSTRACT
The limitations of traditional publishing as for its capacity to incorporate the results from the entire scientific discovery process gave an impetus to the enhancement of publications. Although large data sets may be generated, an academic text can normally present the research data in a condensed form only. Cheung et al. (2008) note that scientific publications “inadequately represent the earlier stages [of the scientific process] that involve the capture, analysis, modelling and interpretation of primary scientific data” (p.1). This limitation has become problematic in recent years since many scientific disciplines are currently producing digital data at highly prodigious rates and in ever growing quantities. Borgman (2007) argues that the “predicted data deluge is already a reality in many fields” (p.113).
