LINK-DAT is a real-world laboratory in the field of plasma research which develops and tests, under real-world conditions, technical innovations designed to simplify the collection and expand the use of KDSF-compliant research information.

A particular added value for researchers and practitioners in the fields of research information, research evaluation and policy will be achieved through the semantic linking of existing research information systems (RIS) and research data management systems (RDMS) via a KDSF-based ontology. Through the use of hybrid AI systems that combine knowledge graphs with modern language models in the field of machine learning (LLMs), this approach enables not only the automated collection but, in particular, the extended use of KDSF-compliant research information. Going beyond KDSF-based aggregate data, this makes it possible, amongst other things, to evaluate and quantify the significance of the methods, instruments and research infrastructures used for the recorded aggregate data.

In addition to developing and field-testing these technical innovations based on existing systems, LINK-DAT is investigating, within the framework of the real-world laboratory, the extent to which a uniform, KDSF-compliant knowledge base – achieved through the semantic aggregation of information from FIS and FDMS – improves institutional governance and the ability to answer strategic questions regarding impact and resource utilisation. At the same time, the project is examining which organisational