The purpose of this article is to give an overview of the development of a Virtual Research Environment (VRE) conceptual model for the management of research data at a South African university.,The research design of this article consists of empirical and non-empirical research. The non-empirical part consists of a critical literature review to synthesise the strengths, weaknesses (limitations) and omissions of identified VRE models as found in literature to develop a conceptual VRE model. As part of the critical literature review concepts were clarified and possible applications of VREs in research lifecycles and research data lifecycles were explored. The empirical part focused on the practical application of this model. This part of the article follows an interpretivist paradigm, and a qualitative research approach, using case studies as inquiry method. Case studies with a positivist perspective were selected through purposive sampling, and inferences were drawn from the sample to design and test a conceptual VRE model, and to investigate the management of research data through a VRE. Investigation was done through a process of participatory action research (PAR) and included semi-structured interviews and participant observation data collection techniques. Evaluation of findings was done through formative and summative evaluation.,The article presents a VRE conceptual model, with identified generic component layers and components that could potentially be applied and used in different research settings/disciplines. The article also reveals the role that VREs play in the successful management of research data throughout the research lifecycle. Guidelines for setting up a conceptual VRE model are offered.,This article assisted in clarifying and validating the various components of a conceptual VRE model that could be used in different research settings and disciplines for research data management.,This article confirms/validates generic layers and components that would be needed in a VRE by synthesising these in a conceptual model in the context of a research lifecycle and presents guidelines for setting up a conceptual VRE model.

中文翻译：

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用于管理研究数据的概念性虚拟研究环境模型，南非视角

本文的目的是概述南非大学用于管理研究数据的虚拟研究环境（VRE）概念模型的发展。本文的研究设计包括实证研究和非实证研究. 非经验部分包括批判性文献综述，以综合文献中发现的已识别 VRE 模型的优点、缺点（限制）和遗漏，以开发概念性 VRE 模型。作为重要文献综述概念的一部分，VRE 在研究生命周期和研究数据生命周期中的可能应用得到了澄清和探索。实证部分侧重于该模型的实际应用。文章的这一部分遵循解释主义范式和定性研究方法，使用案例研究作为调查方法。通过有目的的抽样选择具有实证主义观点的案例研究，并从样本中得出推论来设计和测试概念性 VRE 模型，并通过 VRE 调查研究数据的管理。调查是通过参与式行动研究 (PAR) 过程完成的，包括半结构化访谈和参与式观察数据收集技术。研究结果的评估是通过形成性和总结性评估完成的。本文提出了一个 VRE 概念模型，其中确定了可能在不同研究环境/学科中应用和使用的通用组件层和组件。本文还揭示了 VRE 在整个研究生命周期中成功管理研究数据中所发挥的作用。