---
type: source
title: "Research Data - Yesterday and Today"
tags: [research-data, history, physical-data, university-greifswald]
related: [forschungsdaten-managen, schwedische-landesaufnahme-von-pommern, arnoldisches-obst-cabinet]
created: 2026-06-30
updated: 2026-06-30
authors: []
year: 2026
url: "https://rz.uni-greifswald.de/dienste/studium-lehre/forschungsdaten-managen/ueber-forschungsdaten/forschungsdaten-gestern-und-heute"
venue: "Universitätsrechenzentrum (URZ)"
sources: ["output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_studium_lehre_forschungsdaten_managen_ueber_forschu.md"]
---

# Research Data - Yesterday and Today

This source provides a conceptual bridge between traditional archival science and modern digital research data management (RDM). It argues that research data is not a modern, digital-only phenomenon but has existed in various physical forms for centuries.

The document uses two historical case studies from the [[universitat-greifswald]] to illustrate the application of modern data lifecycle terminology (Raw, Primary, and Secondary data) to physical artifacts.

## Case Study 1: Swedish Land Survey of Pomerania (1692–1709)
Described as the oldest land registry (Kataster) in Germany, this project involved precise surveys for tax collection.
- **Raw Data**: Field sketches (Feldrisse).
- **Primary Data**: Original maps (Urkarten) and final maps (Reinkarten).
- **Secondary Data**: Descriptive and calculation volumes (Beschreibungs- und Ausrechnungsbände).
- **Storage**: Distributed across the [[landesarchiv-greifswald]], the university, and archives in Sweden and Poland.

## Case Study 2: Arnoldi'sches Obst-Cabinet (1856–1899)
A collection of porcelain fruit models used for pomological research and variety determination.
- **Raw Data**: Natural fruit specimens used as templates.
- **Primary Data**: The porcelain fruit models themselves.
- **Secondary Data**: Publications and the application of the models in research and teaching.
- **Storage**: Located at the [[botanisches-institut]].

## Key Takeaways
- **Data Diversity**: Research data can be physical (maps, porcelain models) as well as digital.
- **Preservation**: Physical research data requires specific archival and conservation measures to ensure longevity.
- **Continued Utility**: Historical physical data continues to be used for modern research in geography, social history, philology, and landscape ecology.
