The importance of having data-sets.

Much scientific research is based on the gathering and analysis of measurement data. Scientific data-sets are, at least, intermediate results in many scientific research projects. For some time data-sets weren’t even published and even if they were published it was mostly as a (not re-usable) by-product of the publication. But an interesting phenomenon might be observed here: data-sets (often in combination with models and parameters) are becoming more important themselves and can sometimes be seen as the primary intellectual output of the research. Publishing and preserving data-sets should therefore seriously be considered. This will especially be the case if the data cannot be reproduced (as they result from unique events) and will be necessary in the future for longitudinal research or to test or check future insights.