"3W" Model in Research Data Services: A Case Study of National Research Data Centers in China

The services of national research data centers represent the best practices of research data services in China. In this study, 536 cases are collected from 20 national research data centers, and content analysis method is used to quantitatively and qualitatively discuss the users, services and effects according to "3W" model. The first "W"--serve for whom, the main users are institutes, universities and their researchers. The second "W"--what is served, data services are various and individualized, while large-scale data retrieval and downloads are still the main services, data-based and value-added technical support are included as well. The third "W"--with what effects, the effect and impact is mainly reflected in supporting the development of science & technology and economy & society, the support for government decision-making and international issues are not yet obvious. Hopefully, this study can help government, data centers and academic libraries for further actions.