A tool to promote research planning and conceptualization: SoDaNet research infrastructure’s scientific dictionary of social terms

This article examines the contribution of SoDaNet research infrastructure’s Scientific Dictionary of Social Terms to empirical social research. The article records the dictionary functional specifications in regarding to terms, definitions and bibliographic records and analyzes the management issues in user access in relation to the basic functions (search, import, modification and deletion of digital content). In addition, the functions of the dictionary as a research planning tool are analyzed (providing opportunities to search for scientific information necessary to design a new research), conceptualization (providing access to the different meanings of a term through the different definitions given) and scientific documentation. Finally, the function of the dictionary as an element of a research infrastructure is evaluated.