Assessment of financial returns on investments in cyberinfrastructure facilities: A survey of current methods

Abstract

In recent years, considerable attention has been given to assessing the value of investments in cyberinfrastructure (CI). This paper includes a survey of current methods for the assessment of financial returns on investment (ROI) in CI. Applying the financial concept of ROI proves challenging with regard to a service that, in most academic environments, does not generate a “sold amount” such as one would find in the buying and selling of stocks. The paper concludes with a discussion of future research directions and challenges in the assessment of financial ROI in CI. This work is intended less as a definitive guide than as a starting point for further exploration in the assessment of CI’s value for scientific research.