The role of virtual research environments within the context of an e-Research framework

Abstract

The e-Research framework for South Africa developed by Fernihough (2011), after in depth interviews with various SA research stakeholders, will be discussed in order to give a framework or context for the role of virtual research environments with regard to e-Research.

The theoretical background of VRE’s will be described with reference to developments in the UK, USA, Australia and South Africa. Special attention will be given to the VRE conceptual framework that was developed in South Africa.