Scoop-Argo: Open-Source Software Development, Preservation, and Collaboration

Software plays a crucial role in academic research, not only as a tool for data analysis but also as a research outcome or result, or even the object of research itself. FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) research software can increase the transparency, reproducibility, and reusability of research. For this to happen, software needs to be well-described (by metadata), inspectable, documented and appropriately structured so that it can be executed, replicated, built-upon, combined, reinterpreted, reimplemented, and/or used in different settings. The FAIR4RS Principles 
aim to guide software creators and owners on how to make their software FAIR. FAIR-IMPACT offered two support actions designed to enhance the FAIRness and impact of research software:

• Assessing and improving existing research software using a new extension of F-UJI which implements some of the metrics for automated FAIR research software assessment. 
• Implementing the Research Software MetaData (RSMD) guidelines for better archiving, referencing, describing, and citing research software artefacts.

This FAIR Implementation Story outlines the specific aims and actions of IFREMER in relation to their participation in one or both support actions.

"The Scoop-Argo experience underscores several essential lessons: machine-readable metadata is crucial for achieving FAIR compliance, proactive archiving with Software Heritage enhances long-term accessibility, and clear contribution guidelines support a sustainable, collaborative environment. Together, these principles create a framework for preserving software as a valuable, reproducible research asset."

Supported applicant: Jerome Detoc, IFREMER