Requirement Analysis and Use Case Engineering via ethnographic methods – Negotiating FAIRness for Sensitive Interview Transcript Data

The primary motivation of this research is to bridge the gap between qualitatively working researchers’ limited readiness to share data and their expressed support for open‑data practices. The investigation is guided by two questions: (1) Why is there a gap between readiness and implementation of FAIR research data? (2) How can software, infrastructures, and existing practices be harmonized in support of FAIR research data in these disciplines? A qualitative, user‑centered approach was required to uncover existing practices that can be leveraged collaboratively while addressing researchers’ concerns. The methodology combines ethnographic techniques—including multi‑sited ethnography, immersive fieldwork based on contextual inquiry, and qualitative expert interviews—with grounded‑theory analysis. User requirements were abstracted from categorized field notes, observation protocols, and interview transcripts. Grounded‑theory analysis enables iterative refinement of these requirements, producing feasible use cases for subsequent implementation. The rich ethnographic data also reveal existing practices that can inform the development of software‑supported processes adaptable to diverse technological and architectural contexts. In this regard, encryption and de‑identification emerge as two promising use cases for future research.