The relatively young research discipline of Virtual Research Environments involves developing generic computer models and software infrastructures which enable networked research and digital support of research processes, thus offering multi-disciplinary access to data and information (eScience, e-Infrastructures). The development is oriented towards concrete research processes with the goal of optimizing these.

GESIS researches computer models and software architectures offering integrated digital support of the research data cycle. The overall goal in this is to optimize typical research processes in empirical social science via digital support of the transition (via computer-aided transition) between phases in the research data cycle and connect with collaborative components.