CREW is envisioned as a decentralized, distributed network for the purpose of connecting scientifically minded individuals, allowing them to publish their findings and gain rigorous feedback without having to go through the hassle of academia.

The name "Cross-Disciplinary Research Exchange Workspace" already explains what it aims to be:

Cross-Disciplinary: It is not focused on a singular discipline of the sciences (e.g. physics) but instead provides the tools necessary to publish, review and cross-reference scientific works and data across multiple domains.
Research: It is made from the ground up for research purposes. Experimental proposals, Reviews, Replications and such are the intended application.
Exchange: The users must be able to freely exchange ideas.
Workspace: It must allow for users to get actual work done without getting in the way.

For large file sets, something like IPFS seems like a good solution.

In essence, a user must be able to release a work. The original work will remain on an immutable ledger, meaning that any subsequent changes to said work can be audited. There is a conscious decision here not to use Etherium or similar cryptocurrency.

Research on CREW is intended to be conducted for the sake of scientific discovery, not for market or prestige incentives, or monetization.

The reputation system within CREW - for one will emerge eventually - is currently under heavy consideration. It will be most likely a mixture of merit and willingness to replicate other peoples experiments.

All discussions for how to shape CREW are to be held here.