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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Socio-economic impetus

“…higher education and research contribute to the eradication of poverty, to sustainable development and to progress towards reaching the internationally agreed upon development goals, which include the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Education for All (EFA)”

2009 World Conference on Higher Education: The New Dynamics of Higher Education and Research For Societal Change and Development (UNESCO, Paris, 5 – 8 July 2009)

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New pedagogies• Collaborative learning• Cultivating critical and independent

thought • Lifelong learning= to encourage innovation

2009 World Conference on Higher Education: The New Dynamics of Higher Education and Research For Societal Change and Development (UNESCO, Paris, 5 – 8 July 2009)

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National Imperative• Pertinent documents: • 1997 White Paper on Higher Education Transformation• 2001 National Plan for Higher Education• 2012 Green paper for post-school education and training• 2012 NPC – Vision 2030

• 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 HE permanent staff with doctoral

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

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New funding framework

In 2004 South Africa introduced a new funding framework (NFF) for research and tuition in all institutionsof higher education. According to the NFF, an institution’s research output grant for any fundingyear is dependent on: (a) actual totals of research graduates and research publication units for theyear n-2; and (b) total research outputs that an institution is expected to produce in terms of thenational benchmarks (Ministry of Higher Education and Training's (MHET) , 2004).

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

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Institutional Imperatives

• 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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Part 2

SU Library Conceptual Approach to Research

Support

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Conceptual approach

HolisticInclusive

Best practice

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Part 3

Components

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Research life cycle

Prepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure

Research life cycle

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PreparePrepare

Gather

CreatePreserv

e

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

CreatePreserv

e

Share

Measure • Literature review

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

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CreatePrepare

Gather

CreatePreserv

e

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

CreatePreserv

e

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

CreatePreserv

e

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

CreatePreserv

e

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

Research Commons

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• 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 25

Seminar Rooms 26

Individual Desk Space 27

Style

Events29

Video Conferencing 30

• 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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Part 4

Evaluating

What is good?

Literature

Recent Reports

Sconul Research Lens

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Steve the skateboarder

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DirectionNeed a

skateboard Need the right

clothes

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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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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CollaborationLanguage Centre

Research Office

Postgraduate and International Office

Centre for Teaching and Learning

Information Technology

Community Interaction

Centre for Statistical Consultation

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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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New LibguidesThe research process• Steps in the research process – Description

of the step, useful reading, services & tools

User guide for postgraduates and researchers• Includes virtual networking spaces (SNSs)

and tools and applications

Where to publish your research article• Covers traditional publication, Open Access

and Subsidy information

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Visual poll

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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

So, are we with-it?

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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