Getting on with it!Research support services at

an academic library

Lucia SchoombeeSU Library and Information Service

5 November 2013

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Contents• Context/background

• Conceptual approach

• Components / building blocks

• Comparing

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Part 1

Context and Background

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Driving forces for change

• Changing technologies• Abundant digital information • Increased understanding users• Evolving research methods • Scholarly communication

Image from: breakingthespidersweb.blogspot.com

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New modes of research

• Different conceptual schools• Well-known models include:

– Dr. Michael Gibbons’ New Production of Knowledge Mode 2 (1994)

– Drs. Etzkowitz and Leydesdorff Triple Helix (1998)

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“New Science”• Problem-orientated• Application-based• Team-driven, partnership-based• Multi-disciplinary, Interdisciplinary

Transdisciplinary• Heterogeneous, multi-cited• Awareness of impact • Social useful• Beyond peer-review

Image from: http://onlinetutoring.overblog.com

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National Imperative• Research agenda set to transform SA into a knowledge society

that competes effectively in a global system (Kaniki 2012)• Pertinent documents: • 2010 report by Centre for Higher Education Transformation • DHET Strategic Plan 2010-2015; DST Ten year innovation plan• Human Resource Development Strategy for South Africa• South Africa’s National Research & Development Strategy• National Plan for Higher Education in South Africa

• Goals include: • Increased targets for high publication output rate • Increased enrolment in science, engineering and technology• Increased enrollment Masters and doctoral enrolments• Increase number of ppermanent staff with doctoral degrees

Image from: http://www.sasportstours.co.za/international-inbound-tours

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Institutional Imperative• Research Policy of Stellenbosch University

(2008) & Strategic Plan for the Environment of the VR (Research) (2009)

• Commitment to National System of Innovation and Government Research Agenda

• Specific goals : ratio between undergrad and postgrad; increased through-put rate, half the completion time of masters & doctoral, increased numbers of PhDs and increased research output

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RLC project (2009-2012)

• Robust discovery system which allowed federated searchingResearch Portal

• Dedicated and supported space for research; an emerging researcher community

Research Commons

• Increased professional & research support skills

• Developing leadershipResearch librarians

• Digitisation of unique collections to improve accessibility and use by the wider research community

Digitisation

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Part 2

SU Library Conceptual Approach to Research

Support

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Conceptual approach

HolisticInclusive

Best practice

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Holistic viewPrepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure

Research life cycle

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PreparePrepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure

• Background reading/ looking for ideas

• Deciding on a topic• Formulating a research

question• Securing funding• Planning the project• Identifying skills deficits &

planning for workshops

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GatherPrepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure

• Literature review• Research design• Research method• Research proposal• Ethical compliance• Data collection

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CreatePrepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure

•Data analysis•Writing•Edit/proofreading•Bibliographic management•Comply with copyright & plagiarism

Sketch by Aaron Leighton www.aaronleighton.com

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PreservePrepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure

•Managing and preserving research output and data•Research outputs •Research data

Image from: http://timoelliott.com/blog/2013/06/big-data-boasts-cartoon.html

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SharePrepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure

•Publication in books•Publication in traditional journals•Open access publishing•Conference papers•Publication in social media

Image from: http://scistarter.com/blog/

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MeasurePrepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure•Strategic research management (showcasing, funding, collaboration)•Determine journal impact •Author productivity and impact reports•Profiling to increase visibility •Consider collaboration opportunities•NRF ranking applications

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Inclusive• Institutional repository• Online journal publishing• Research Performance Management• Division for Research Support• Information Services (Faculty Librarians)• Digital Services• Campus partners

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Best practiceIdentify grants

and funding

Identify research

collaborators

Data management and retrieval

Image from: http://www.superlibrarianblog.com/

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Literature

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Recent Reports

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Sconul Research Lens

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Part 3Components and building blocks of Research Support

Services

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Steve the skateboarder

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DirectionNeed a

skateboard Need the right attire

Need technique

& skill

Space to practice

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Strategy, structure & policy

• Guided by a Strategic Plan

• Research Support Committee

• Policies for mandatory submission theses & research articles

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Laying the foundation

Cool t-shirt Headphones

Sliding glovesConverse shoes

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• Digital repository, SUNScholar rated 2nd in Africa

• Research Commons provides dedicated space for researchers and postgrads

Laying the foundation

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Research Commons

• Spaces – desk space, discussion rooms, lounge, white boards

• Equipment - laptops, video conferencing, iPads, recording devices

• Utilities - wireless, lockers, printing, photocopying, scanning, coffee

• Reference collection - Research methodology, Scientific writing skills, Reference techniques, Dictionaries

Facilities & equipment

• Senior librarian

• RLC Academy participant, 2010

• USA Intern 2011

• Librarian

• RLC Academy participant, 2010

• Peer-assistance

• Six masters and doctoral students with research experience

Staffing model

Informal networking 33

Seminar Rooms 34

Individual Desk Space 35

Style

Events37

Video Conferencing 38

• Usage – 6000/8000 card swipes per month

• “The new Research Commons motivates you to come here and DO your work. Thank you!”

Impact

• Average number of enquiries per day 15

• Technical (computers, printing, username/passwords, etc.)

• General (Refworks, catalogue and database searches, room bookings, card access, coffee machine)

• Other: translation, technical editing of thesis, reference techniques, etc.

Queries

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Defining features

Hairstyle Beanie

Casual demeanour

Loose, open shirt

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Defining features• Research performance management

• Bibliometrics

• Digital services

• Research workshops

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Signature elements

I’m uniqueLook at

my wiggle

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45

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PartnersLanguage Centre

Research Office

Postgraduate and International Office

Centre for Teaching and Learning

Information Technology

Community Interaction

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Getting Active

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Events for researchers

• Library Research Week• Social hour

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Exciting terrain

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Supporting collaboration

• New Libguide for postgraduates and researchers

• Page dedicated to supporting collaborationo Why collaborateo Using the tools (SciVal Experts,

SciVal Spotlight, SciVal Stratao Virtual Networking Spaces

(ResearchGate, Academia.edu, Mendeley, Social Science Research Network)

o Collaboration Spaces

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Supporting research process

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Visual poll

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Part 4

How do we Compare?

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What’s lacking• Research support charter• Optimise service model• Definition • Differentiation of service PhD, masters, supervisors• Data support• Unique author identification

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How do we compare?Similar across all the

librariesDistinctive to one / two

libraries• Thesis & dissertation repository • Dedicated senior management

position• Research output repository • Publication of online journals• Dedicated space (Research Commons) • Research data repository• Service provided primarily by

faculty/subject/liaison librarians• Specialised services are provided for

bibliometrics, data support, GIS, scholarly communication

• Information literacy instruction exists for postgraduate and researchers

• Partnerships exist with other research support units on campus

• Research workshops address particular needs of postgraduates and researchers

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Go UJ! Get on with it!

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• Auckland, M. 2012. Re skilling for research: an investigation into the role ‐and skills of subject and liaison librarians required to effectively support the evolving information needs of researchers (conducted for RLUK) [Electronic]. Available: http://www.rluk.ac.uk/files/RLUK%20Re-skilling.pdf [Accessed June 9, 2013]

• Drummond, R., & Wartho, R. (2009). RIMS: The research impact measurement service at the University of New South Wales. Australian Academic & Research Libraries [Electronic], 40(2). Available: http://www.ebscohost.com [2013, June 9]

• Hart, G., & Kleinveldt, L. 2011. The role of an academic library in research: researchers' perspectives at a South African University of Technology. South African Journal of Libraries & Information Science [Electronic], 77(1). Available: http://www.ebscohost.com [Accessed June 9, 2013]

• Hessels, L., & Van Lente H. 2008. Re-thinking new knowledge production: A literature review and a research agenda. Research Policy [Electronic], 37(4). Available: http://www.ebscohost.com [Accessed June 9, 2013].

References

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• Mamtora, J. 2013. Transforming library research services: towards a collaborative partnership. Library Management [Electronic], 34(4/5). Available: http:/www.emeraldinsight.com [Accessed June 9, 2013]

• Parker, R. 2012. What the library did next: strengthening our visibility in research support [Electronic]. Unpublished paper delivered at the The VALA 2012 16th Biennial Conference and Exhibition. Melbourne, Australia. Available: http://www.academia.edu/1419201/What_the_library_did_next_strengthening_our_visibility_in_research_support [Accessed June 9, 2013]

• Research Information Network & Research Libraries UK. 2011. The value of libraries for research and researchers [Electronic]. London, Research Information Network. Available at: http://www.rin.ac.uk/system/files/attachments/value_of_libraries_for_screen_1.pdf [Accessed June 9, 2013].

• Richardson, J., Nolan-Brown, T., Loria, P., & Bradbury, S. 2012. Library research support in Queensland. Australian Academic & Research Libraries [Electronic], 43(4). Available at http://www.ebscohost.com [Accessed June 9, 2013]

References

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• Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service (SULIS). (2011). Research Commons concept document. Unpublished.

• Stellenbosch University (SU). (2012). Strategic Plan for the Environment of the VR (R). Unpublished.

• Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service (SULIS). (2010). Strategic Directions 2010-2015. Unpublished.

References