# Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main Institut für Informatik

> research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q101263606](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101263606)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/goethe-universitat-frankfurt-am-main-institut-fur-informatik

## Summary
The Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main Institut für Informatik is a research institute situated in Frankfurt, Germany. It operates as a distinct unit within the Goethe University Frankfurt, dedicated specifically to generating new knowledge through systematic investigation in the field of computer science. As an organization classified as a research institute, its primary function is conducting research rather than providing undergraduate education.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany.
- **Parent Organization**: A component of Goethe University Frankfurt.
- **Classification**: Defined as an instance of a "research institute."
- **Identifiers**: Assigned Ringgold ID 233387.
- **System Mapping**: Mapped to `schema.org/ResearchOrganization` for structured data purposes.
- **Library Codes**: Associated with Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406 and Geonames feature code S.ITTR.
- **Authority IDs**: Linked to Library of Congress authority ID sh85113043 and German National Library GND ID 4017909-6 (via its class definition).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Institut für Informatik?
A: As a research institute, its primary purpose is to conduct research and generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. This distinguishes it from organizations that combine research with teaching or commercial production.

### Q: How does this institute differ from a think tank?
A: Unlike think tanks, which primarily conduct policy-oriented research to influence government and public policy, this research institute focuses on fundamental scientific inquiry and investigation.

### Q: Is the institute a standalone organization?
A: While it is classified as a research institute—an entity often distinct from universities—it is structurally a part of Goethe University Frankfurt. It serves as a dedicated engine of discovery within the larger university system.

## Why It Matters
The Institut für Informatik serves as a critical infrastructure for advancing computer science knowledge within the German academic landscape. By functioning as a specialized research institute, it provides an environment where scientists can pursue long-term, high-risk research that might not fit within standard corporate timelines or teaching-heavy university schedules. These organizations accelerate breakthroughs by concentrating resources and talent purely on investigation, free from the divided attention common in hybrid organizations. In an era where innovation drives economic competitiveness, such institutes represent essential hubs for solving complex technical problems and advancing human understanding.

## Notable For
- **Dedicated Research Focus**: Exists purely to generate new knowledge, distinct from teaching-focused university departments.
- **Organizational Distinction**: Differentiated from scientific societies (which are membership-based) and research centers (which are often sub-units), standing as a distinct operational entity.
- **Global Recognition**: Belongs to a class of organization (research institute) recognized globally across 41 different Wikipedia language editions.
- **Structured Classification**: Identified across multiple library and knowledge systems, including schema.org, Geonames, and the Library of Congress.

## Body
The Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main Institut für Informatik functions as a dedicated research institute within the broader academic structure of Goethe University Frankfurt. It represents a specific organizational form designed to maximize the efficiency and depth of scientific inquiry in computer science.

### Classification and Identification
The entity is formally classified as a research institute, a type of organization defined by its primary purpose: to conduct research.
*   **Academic Identifiers**: The institute is tracked under Ringgold ID 233387, a unique identifier used in the academic publishing and library community.
*   **Geographic Data**: It is geolocated in Frankfurt, Germany, utilizing the Geonames feature code S.ITTR for geographic identification.
*   **Knowledge Organization**: In library cataloging systems, the concept of a research institute falls under Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406. It is mapped to `schema.org/ResearchOrganization` for structured data interoperability.

### Operational Nature and Distinctions
The institute operates as an operational entity conducting hands-on investigation, a characteristic that differentiates it from other organizational types.
*   **Vs. Scientific Societies**: Unlike scientific or learned societies, which function primarily as membership organizations for professionals, the institute is a working facility focused on active research.
*   **Vs. Think Tanks**: The institute focuses on fundamental scientific inquiry rather than the policy-oriented research that defines think tanks.
*   **Vs. Universities**: While it is part of Goethe University Frankfurt, its classification as a "research institute" highlights a functional distinction. Research institutes exist specifically to generate knowledge, whereas universities typically balance research with teaching and degree-granting responsibilities.

### Global Context
The concept of the "research institute" utilized to define this entity has broad international recognition, appearing in 41 different Wikipedia language editions. This global classification underscores the institute's role as a dedicated engine of discovery, positioned to tackle complex problems without the distractions inherent in hybrid organizations. It serves as a space where scientists can pursue investigation systematically, contributing to the advancement of informatics and the resolution of technical challenges.

## References

1. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions