Development of a Custom Research Data Portal at La Trobe University

The Care Economy Research Institute (CERI) at LaTrobe University engaged Intersect to build a research data platform to manage, analyse, and share data assets associated with the Care Economy. The Care Economy Research Institute (CERI) is focussed on addressing critical issues facing Australia’s health and social care sectors. 

CERI’s vision was to provide a central hub for care economy research data, engineered to aggregate and make discoverable a diverse array of datasets. This would allow Care Researchers and collaborators to easily access data collections and metadata relating to the Care Economy in one centralised space and allow researchers to search these data collections and collaborate using Real-Time commenting on datasets. 

This platform gives users the flexibility of uploading data files as new data is collected. They can also share and download their own data files based on the dataset they desire.

“Intersect’s expertise was essential in developing a powerful, user-friendly platform that makes care economy data discoverable and enhances research collaboration. Their contribution has been key to advancing research and driving positive impact in Australia’s care sector.” Professor James Boyd, Care Technology Domain Lead, Care Economy Research Institute, La Trobe University

Intersect’s role in this project was to develop this web-based application. This involved the utilisation of Intersect’s skills in Business Analysis, Project Management, Software Engineering  and Quality Assurance to translate CERI’s vision into a functional and user-friendly platform.

Intersect’s team was responsible for the architectural design and implementation of the portal, ensuring it could efficiently index, query, and retrieve diverse data types. They integrated the portal with La Trobe University’s existing website design system and accessibility policies. This collaboration involved:  

  • Technical Development: Building the robust backend infrastructure capable of managing complex metadata and handling advanced search queries.
  • User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design: Crafting an intuitive front-end that prioritizes simplicity and efficient data discovery, drawing inspiration from leading research data platforms.  
  • Metadata Schema Implementation: Working with CERI to implement the detailed Version 5 metadata schema, which is central to the portal’s functionality. This involved understanding the nuances of the care economy domain to ensure the schema effectively captured relevant data attributes and leveraged controlled vocabularies.
  • Adherence to Standards: Ensuring the portal’s design and data management practices aligned with La Trobe University’s accessibility policy and international data standards like DataCite.

The CERI Data Portal will enable users – from researchers and policymakers to practitioners – to overcome the significant challenge of fragmented information, providing a centralized, intuitive, and authoritative resource.

Key benefits to the users include:

  • Enhanced Data Discoverability
  • Improved Research Efficiency
  • Fostered Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:
  • Support for Informed Policy-Making:
  • Increased Data Reusability and Impact
  • User Satisfaction

Intersect provided comprehensive support throughout our project lifecycle, from initial conception to final delivery. Their expertise in project development, priority setting, and technical guidance was indispensable as we navigated unfamiliar territory. They were a valuable partner, and we wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again on future initiatives. Kate Syme-Lamont, Research Officer, Care Economy Research Institute, La Trobe University

The project has been enthusiastically received, as it directly addresses a critical need in Australia’s Care Economy by empowering stakeholders with data to drive positive change.

How Intersect can empower your research:

Our Services

  • Analytics Services: Delivering data science, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and statistical solutions to empower research endeavours.
  • Technology Services: Offering digital storage systems, large-scale computing platforms, data services, software, and more to support research needs.
  • Training & Education: Helping researchers develop the essential skills through targeted programs.
  • Research Support: Our Digital Research Analysts (DRAs) work with researchers to find the best technologies and apply their expertise effectively.

Membership

Membership involves a commitment to creating better research capability for the communal benefit of all members. Each member can draw on over 50 years of shared, on-campus experience in digital research technology; backed by research-specific technical specialists in IT systems, operations, and engineering. This suite of services is optimally delivered through an on-campus professional: a core component of Intersect membership.

Training

Intersect Australia offers hands-on training tailored to researchers and higher-degree research (HDR) students, covering a wide range of research-relevant digital tools and technologies, such as Excel, Python, R, SPSS, NVivo, REDCap and Qualtrics. These courses are available at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

All members can access these training sessions. For details on all Intersect training courses across all member universities, click here.