Exploring the virtual research environments and their value for the humanities

The paper focuses on new strategies of scientific collaboration that have become possible in the modern global world. The concept of a virtual research environment is described as providing access to data, tools, and resources, facilitating collaboration or joint work with other researchers in the same or different institutions, and simplifying international cooperation by overcoming geographical boundaries. The availability of data, tools, computing resources, and enhanced communication with colleagues enables expedited outcomes and fosters the emergence of novel research avenues. Open data-based research proves more trustworthy because the results can be easily verified. It is noted that the virtual research environment facilitates researchers' integration into a virtual research community. Emphasis is placed on the importance of virtual research environments in modern humanities, with examples of organizations involved in developing these environments and the key characteristics and advantages of their usage described. An overview of various virtual research environments in the humanities is provided. The author discusses the functions and tools relevant to folklore studies and the specific requirements of the folklore research community (preservation of cultural heritage, access to data, compliance with copyright, comparative research, and others). In addition, the arguments favoring collaborative strategies as a powerful tool for improving the effectiveness of scientific research are presented.