The research lifecycle is a representation of the activities that occur throughout
a research process. It starts with an idea to pursue, followed by data collection,
and data analysis, that continues with interpretation of the analysis in the form
of a research publication. Grouped into sequential steps or stages, research
lifecycle covers everything from conceptualization to knowledge transfer.
Each stage comprises a set of related activities that culminate in a significant
outcome that is then carried forward to the next stage. The research output
could be shared in the form of a book or article, blog, presentation, or through
any other communication channel. These primary research outputs once
disseminated provide an opportunity for the scholarly community to engage in
discussions, debates, and further study on the topic at hand. The outcome of
further study starts the cycle anew. By linking together a series of stages in the
research process in a logical sequence, the research lifecycle is represented.
Within the research lifecycle, several stages involve the production and
management of data and metadata apart from the scholarly publication which
is the ultimate outcome.