Disadvantages: Can be tricky to conceptualise at first Coding RDF relationships by hand would be time-consuming. It is often therefore generated automatically from SQL or various XML formats. Most triplestore software is at present aimed more at developers than users ‘ordinary’ – you will almost certainly need technical help Popular software packages: Jena Sesame Where to Go for More Information If you wish to produce anything more than a very simple relational database, it would be wise to learn first a little about the principles of structuring data and the capabilities of the software you are considering using. Fortunately, you do not need to look too far for help and support. Most good bookshops will have a selection of introductory guides to database design and XML. For members of the Oxford University, the IT Learning Programme at OUCS offers a number of courses that may be of interest: check the ITLP Web page at for details. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a research database and want to talk it through with a technical expert, speak to a member of the Infodev team at OUCS: see for more information. Infodev can also help with other aspects of research support, including data manipulation and website building. Dealing with different data problems In small groups, read the following scenarios and decide what tools you would use to address the problem described in the most efficient manner are no straightforwardly right or wrong answers, but it may be easier to justify some approaches rather than others! You are writing a book and wish to keep track of any interesting quotations you come across in such a way as you can find them again quickly as you write each chapter.
Disadvantages: Can be tricky to conceptualise at first Coding RDF relationships by hand would be time-consuming. It is often therefore generated automatically from SQL or various XML formats. Most triplestore software is at present aimed more at developers than ‘ordinary’ users – you will almost certainly need technical help Popular software packages: Jena Sesame Where to Go for More Information If you wish to produce anything more than a very simple relational database, it would be wise to learn first a little about the principles of structuring data and the capabilities of the software you are considering using. Fortunately, you do not need to look too far for help and support. Most good bookshops will have a selection of introductory guides to database design and XML. For members of the Oxford University, the IT Learning Programme at OUCS offers a number of courses that may be of interest: check the ITLP Web page at for details. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a research database and want to talk it through with a technical expert, speak to a member of the Infodev team at OUCS: see for more information. Infodev can also help with other aspects of research support, including data manipulation and website building. Dealing with different data problems In small groups, read the following scenarios and decide what tools you would use to address the problem described in the most efficient manner are no straightforwardly right or wrong answers, but it may be easier to justify some approaches rather than others! You are writing a book and wish to keep track of any interesting quotations you come across in such a way as you can find them again quickly as you write each chapter.