The Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR) has announced the release of the COAR Resource Type Controlled Vocabulary, Version 3.2. This updated vocabulary now comprises 105 terms, reflecting the broad spectrum of scholarly resources deposited and managed through repositories worldwide. Each term includes a definition, connections to related concepts, and links to equivalent terms in third-party vocabularies, enhancing consistency and clarity across the scholarly ecosystem.
In a significant milestone for global open science, the vocabulary is now available in 25 languages, underscoring COAR's commitment to multilingualism in scholarly communication. This development ensures broader accessibility and utility for researchers, repository managers, and institutions, fostering interoperability and supporting the principles of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data. It also aids global initiatives like the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and services such as LA Referencia, OpenAlex, and OpenAIRE.
The update process, which took almost a year, was a collaborative effort involving the COAR Controlled Vocabulary Editorial Board and international volunteers. The meticulous workflow included reviewing existing concepts, proposing new terms, refining definitions, enriching links to related concepts, and translating terms into multiple languages. Notable contributors include Isabel Bernal, chair of the Editorial Board, and Ellen Ramsey from COAR.
The new version introduces several new resource types, such as:
• Archival Collection
• Artistic Work
• Collection
• Court Documents
• Knowledge Organization System
• Knowledge Synthesis Protocol
• Magazine Article
• Physical Sample
• Research Instrument
Additionally, a revised definition for the term video has been included to ensure greater accuracy. Each new term is accompanied by definitions sourced from authoritative references, providing clarity and ease of use for repository users.
The vocabulary's multilingual capability and extensive term coverage make it a valuable tool for integrating into repositories and research infrastructures. For instance, creators can easily select appropriate resource types via drop-down menus during the deposition process, ensuring uniform terminology use.
The COAR Resource Type Controlled Vocabulary, Version 3.2, is openly available for public use, promoting consistency and improving data discovery and management worldwide.
Click here to read the original press release.
