September 18, 2025

Understanding and Improving Data Repurposing

Key Points

Data repurposing can enhance the utility of existing data in various fields like healthcare and citizen science, leading to efficient practices.
It distinguishes itself from original data use and data reuse, highlighting the unique aspects and methodologies involved.
The developed framework includes key concepts and activities, facilitating the adaptation of existing data for new tasks effectively.
Understanding data repurposing presents significant research opportunities, enabling organizations to optimize their data management strategies.

Abstract

We live in an age of unprecedented opportunities to use existing data for tasks not anticipated when those data were collected, resulting in widespread data repurposing. This commentary defines and maps the scope of data repurposing to highlight its importance for organizations and society and the need to study data repurposing as a frontier of data management. We explain how repurposing differs from original data use and data reuse and then develop a framework for data repurposing consisting of concepts and activities for adapting existing data to new tasks. The framework and its implications are illustrated using two examples of repurposing, one in healthcare and one in citizen science. We conclude by suggesting opportunities for research to better understand data repurposing and enable more effective data repurposing practices.

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