Objectively, the collaboratory seems to exist. A distinct boundary between objective reality and subjective reality has never been successfully resolved. Subjective reality is based on the feelings, emotions, experiences, assumptions, and considerations internal to the human mind. Subjectivity cannot be disproved, even when it is factually wrong. Phase Two seeks a subjective reality of the collaboratory based on immersion in the online environment.
Chapter Seven presents the collaboratory testsite experience.
Chapter Eight presents four additional descriptive studies developed during immersion in the larger collaboratory environment. As the NRC study evolved, the idea of developing a single national collaboratory was replaced by the idea of developing multiple scientific collaboratories which would share network and computing resources, software, and infrastructure but would have unique features dictated by the needs of particular scientific disciplines. The committee's motivation was to inspire tool development and leverage the efforts of computer scientists. It was recognized that science's traditional culture of competition and individuality, and the traditional system of rewards and recognition among scientists, were major impediments to achieving effective collaboration. The 105-page National Collaboratories includes an Executive Summary, six sections, and four appendixes.