Objectives: To explore potential collaborations between academic libraries and Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA)-funded institutes with respect to
data management training and support.
Methods: The National Institutes of Health CTSAs have established a well-funded, crucial infrastructure supporting large-scale collaborative biomedical research. This infrastructure is also valuable for smaller, more localized research projects. While infrastructure and corresponding support is often available for large, well-funded projects, these services have generally not been extended to smaller projects. This is a missed opportunity on both accounts. Academic libraries providing data services can leverage CTSA-based resources, while CTSA-funded institutes can extend their reach beyond large biomedical projectsto serve the long tail of research data.
Results: A year-long series of conversations with the Indiana CTSI Data Management Team resulted in resource sharing, consensus building about key issues in data management, provision of expert feedback on a data management training curriculum, and several avenues for future collaborations.
Conclusions:Data management training for graduate students and early career researchers is a vital area of need that would benefit from the combined infrastructure and expertise of translational science institutes and academic libraries. Such partnerships can leverage the instructional, preservation, and access expertise in academic libraries, along with the storage, security, and analytical expertise in translational science institutes to improve the management, protection, and access of valuable research data.
Librarians are increasingly being asked to engage with
bibliometrics to help with institutional decision making.
However, few have professional qualifications in this area and
there is an onus on universities to do metrics responsibly. A
small project supported by the Lis-Bibliometrics forum and
Elsevier Research Intelligence Division is developing a set of
bibliometric competency statements to ensure practitioners are
equipped to do their work responsibly and well. This workshop
will report on progress to date and invite input into the project.
Transforming liaison roles for academic librarians is critical, as universities are moving to position themselves to meet the demands of a more competitive national research environment. At La Trobe University, librarians are repackaging current research support services to streamline and incorporate these more efficiently into the researcher’s life cycle, in order to support the University’s research initiatives
Objectives: To explore potential collaborations between academic libraries and Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA)-funded institutes with respect to
data management training and support.
Methods: The National Institutes of Health CTSAs have established a well-funded, crucial infrastructure supporting large-scale collaborative biomedical research. This infrastructure is also valuable for smaller, more localized research projects. While infrastructure and corresponding support is often available for large, well-funded projects, these services have generally not been extended to smaller projects. This is a missed opportunity on both accounts. Academic libraries providing data services can leverage CTSA-based resources, while CTSA-funded institutes can extend their reach beyond large biomedical projectsto serve the long tail of research data.
Results: A year-long series of conversations with the Indiana CTSI Data Management Team resulted in resource sharing, consensus building about key issues in data management, provision of expert feedback on a data management training curriculum, and several avenues for future collaborations.
Conclusions:Data management training for graduate students and early career researchers is a vital area of need that would benefit from the combined infrastructure and expertise of translational science institutes and academic libraries. Such partnerships can leverage the instructional, preservation, and access expertise in academic libraries, along with the storage, security, and analytical expertise in translational science institutes to improve the management, protection, and access of valuable research data.
Librarians are increasingly being asked to engage with
bibliometrics to help with institutional decision making.
However, few have professional qualifications in this area and
there is an onus on universities to do metrics responsibly. A
small project supported by the Lis-Bibliometrics forum and
Elsevier Research Intelligence Division is developing a set of
bibliometric competency statements to ensure practitioners are
equipped to do their work responsibly and well. This workshop
will report on progress to date and invite input into the project.
Transforming liaison roles for academic librarians is critical, as universities are moving to position themselves to meet the demands of a more competitive national research environment. At La Trobe University, librarians are repackaging current research support services to streamline and incorporate these more efficiently into the researcher’s life cycle, in order to support the University’s research initiatives
An introduction to open science for the Library Journal webcast Case Studies for Open Science on February 9, 2016.
http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2016/01/webcasts/case-studies-for-open-science/
This presentation was provided by Sarah Young of Cornell University during a NISO webinar on the topic of Compliance With Funder mandates, held on September 14, 2016.
RDAP 16 Lightning: Data Practices and Perspectives of Atmospheric and Enginee...ASIS&T
Research Data Access and Preservation Summit, 2016
Atlanta, GA
May 4-7, 2016
Lightning Rounds (Thursday, May 5)
Presenter:
Christie Wiley, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Library Connect Webinar- Strategies for supporting metrics in academic librar...Library_Connect
American University’s Science Librarian, Rachel Borchardt talks about Strategies for supporting metrics in academic libraries. From the Nov. 12, 2015 webinar, Article, author and journal metrics: what librarians need to know.
Promoting Open Access and Open Educational Resources to FacultyNASIG
Heather Crozier, presenter
Student debt is a compelling issue and many institutions are investigating solutions to ease the financial burdens of their students. Increasing the use of open educational resources benefits students by reducing course costs. Adopting OER in the classroom allows faculty more freedom in choosing instructional tools. Faculty also benefit from open access publishing by increasing their exposure. However, on the campus of a small, private institution, attendance at workshops to spread awareness and increase the use of these materials was minimal. Faculty had the perception that free resources could not be the same quality as traditional resources. In order to dispel this myth, the Electronic Resources Librarian and Educational Technology Manager collaborated to create custom one hour sessions for individual departments, leveraging library/faculty liaison relationships and the expertise of the office of educational technology. In the session, faculty learn more about open access publishing options, the value of open educational resources, the quality of many open educational resources, and where to find these resources. The session uses the course management system to both disseminate the information shared in the session and create a forum for departments to share resources with each other. Through the CMS, faculty gain access to vetted resources. All attendants have editing privileges within the site after the workshop, allowing them to curate course-specific lists for sharing and future reference. Pilot sessions have been well received and wider implementation is planned for the next academic year.
This presentation was provided by Pamela Shaw of Northwestern University during the NISO Webinar, Compliance with Funder Mandates, held on September 14, 2016
RDAP14: DataONE: Data Observation Network for EarthASIS&T
Research Data Access and Preservation Summit, 2014
San Diego, CA
March 26-28, 2014
Amber E. Budden, Director for Community Engagement and Outreach, DataONE, University of New Mexico
Capturing and Analyzing Publication, Citation and Usage Data for Contextual C...NASIG
Libraries have long sought to demonstrate the value of their collections through a variety of usage statistics. Traditionally, a strong emphasis is placed on high usage statistics when evaluating journals in collection development discussions. However, as budget pressures persist, administrators are increasingly concerned with looking beyond traditional usage metrics to determine the real impact of library services and collections. By examining journal usage in the context of scholarly communication, we hope to gain a more holistic understanding of the use and impact of our library’s resources. In this session, we begin by outlining our methodology for gathering comprehensive publication and citation data for authors affiliated with Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, utilizing Web of Science as our primary data source and leveraging a custom Python script to manage the data. Using this data we discuss various potential metrics that could be employed to measure and evaluate journals in institutional and field-specific contexts, including but not limited to: number of publications and references per journal, co-citation networks, percentage of references per journal, and increases or decreases of references over time per title. We then consider the development of normalized benchmarks and criteria for creating field-specific core journal lists. We also discuss a process for establishing usage thresholds to evaluate existing journal subscriptions and to highlight potential gaps in the collection. Finally, we apply and compare these metrics to traditional collection development tools like COUNTER usage reports, cost-per-use analysis, Inter-Library Loan statistics and turnaway reports, to determine what correlations or discrepancies might exist. We finish by highlighting some use-cases which demonstrate the value of considering publication and citation metrics, and provide suggestions for incorporating these metrics into library collection development practices.
Speakers: Joelen Pastva and Jonathan Shank, Northwestern University
Project GitHub page: https://goo.gl/2C2Pcy
This presentation was provided by Peggy Layne, Andi Ogier, and Ginny Pannabecker of Virginia Tech during the NISO virtual conference, Research Information Systems: The Connections Enabling Collaboration, held on August 16, 2017.
Illuminating shifting perspectives and roles: the emergence of library staff ...Jen Green
Successfully managing an institution’s scholarly output and meeting the present-day needs of scholars means shifting many aspects of library work. A key driver is that the fundamental concept of digital content management has evolved to include not only resources that are purchased, but also content created locally, found openly, and connected globally.
The Dartmouth Academic Commons (DAC), an open repository, will facilitate long-term public representation of Dartmouth’s scholarly output. Librarians and library staff who collect manage, preserve, and present resources are deeply involved through an evolving process of broadening the scope and nature of collection management work.
RDAP14: Building a data management and curation program on a shoestring budgetASIS&T
Research Data Access and Preservation Summit, 2014
San Diego, CA
Margaret Henderson
Director, Research Data Management
Virginia Commonwealth University
What ARE we thinking? Collections decisions in an Academic LibraryLinda Galloway
When faced with multiple competing priorities for investment in library resources, there are many important aspects to consider. From student enrollment to prominence of programs, there are both data-driven and intangible factors to weigh. In addition, most library collections now focus on the immediate needs of students and researchers instead of collecting for posterity. This just-in-time versus just-in-case collection development mindset prioritizes different resource attributes and requires an often unfamiliar level of acquisitions flexibility.
An introduction to open science for the Library Journal webcast Case Studies for Open Science on February 9, 2016.
http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2016/01/webcasts/case-studies-for-open-science/
This presentation was provided by Sarah Young of Cornell University during a NISO webinar on the topic of Compliance With Funder mandates, held on September 14, 2016.
RDAP 16 Lightning: Data Practices and Perspectives of Atmospheric and Enginee...ASIS&T
Research Data Access and Preservation Summit, 2016
Atlanta, GA
May 4-7, 2016
Lightning Rounds (Thursday, May 5)
Presenter:
Christie Wiley, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Library Connect Webinar- Strategies for supporting metrics in academic librar...Library_Connect
American University’s Science Librarian, Rachel Borchardt talks about Strategies for supporting metrics in academic libraries. From the Nov. 12, 2015 webinar, Article, author and journal metrics: what librarians need to know.
Promoting Open Access and Open Educational Resources to FacultyNASIG
Heather Crozier, presenter
Student debt is a compelling issue and many institutions are investigating solutions to ease the financial burdens of their students. Increasing the use of open educational resources benefits students by reducing course costs. Adopting OER in the classroom allows faculty more freedom in choosing instructional tools. Faculty also benefit from open access publishing by increasing their exposure. However, on the campus of a small, private institution, attendance at workshops to spread awareness and increase the use of these materials was minimal. Faculty had the perception that free resources could not be the same quality as traditional resources. In order to dispel this myth, the Electronic Resources Librarian and Educational Technology Manager collaborated to create custom one hour sessions for individual departments, leveraging library/faculty liaison relationships and the expertise of the office of educational technology. In the session, faculty learn more about open access publishing options, the value of open educational resources, the quality of many open educational resources, and where to find these resources. The session uses the course management system to both disseminate the information shared in the session and create a forum for departments to share resources with each other. Through the CMS, faculty gain access to vetted resources. All attendants have editing privileges within the site after the workshop, allowing them to curate course-specific lists for sharing and future reference. Pilot sessions have been well received and wider implementation is planned for the next academic year.
This presentation was provided by Pamela Shaw of Northwestern University during the NISO Webinar, Compliance with Funder Mandates, held on September 14, 2016
RDAP14: DataONE: Data Observation Network for EarthASIS&T
Research Data Access and Preservation Summit, 2014
San Diego, CA
March 26-28, 2014
Amber E. Budden, Director for Community Engagement and Outreach, DataONE, University of New Mexico
Capturing and Analyzing Publication, Citation and Usage Data for Contextual C...NASIG
Libraries have long sought to demonstrate the value of their collections through a variety of usage statistics. Traditionally, a strong emphasis is placed on high usage statistics when evaluating journals in collection development discussions. However, as budget pressures persist, administrators are increasingly concerned with looking beyond traditional usage metrics to determine the real impact of library services and collections. By examining journal usage in the context of scholarly communication, we hope to gain a more holistic understanding of the use and impact of our library’s resources. In this session, we begin by outlining our methodology for gathering comprehensive publication and citation data for authors affiliated with Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, utilizing Web of Science as our primary data source and leveraging a custom Python script to manage the data. Using this data we discuss various potential metrics that could be employed to measure and evaluate journals in institutional and field-specific contexts, including but not limited to: number of publications and references per journal, co-citation networks, percentage of references per journal, and increases or decreases of references over time per title. We then consider the development of normalized benchmarks and criteria for creating field-specific core journal lists. We also discuss a process for establishing usage thresholds to evaluate existing journal subscriptions and to highlight potential gaps in the collection. Finally, we apply and compare these metrics to traditional collection development tools like COUNTER usage reports, cost-per-use analysis, Inter-Library Loan statistics and turnaway reports, to determine what correlations or discrepancies might exist. We finish by highlighting some use-cases which demonstrate the value of considering publication and citation metrics, and provide suggestions for incorporating these metrics into library collection development practices.
Speakers: Joelen Pastva and Jonathan Shank, Northwestern University
Project GitHub page: https://goo.gl/2C2Pcy
This presentation was provided by Peggy Layne, Andi Ogier, and Ginny Pannabecker of Virginia Tech during the NISO virtual conference, Research Information Systems: The Connections Enabling Collaboration, held on August 16, 2017.
Illuminating shifting perspectives and roles: the emergence of library staff ...Jen Green
Successfully managing an institution’s scholarly output and meeting the present-day needs of scholars means shifting many aspects of library work. A key driver is that the fundamental concept of digital content management has evolved to include not only resources that are purchased, but also content created locally, found openly, and connected globally.
The Dartmouth Academic Commons (DAC), an open repository, will facilitate long-term public representation of Dartmouth’s scholarly output. Librarians and library staff who collect manage, preserve, and present resources are deeply involved through an evolving process of broadening the scope and nature of collection management work.
RDAP14: Building a data management and curation program on a shoestring budgetASIS&T
Research Data Access and Preservation Summit, 2014
San Diego, CA
Margaret Henderson
Director, Research Data Management
Virginia Commonwealth University
What ARE we thinking? Collections decisions in an Academic LibraryLinda Galloway
When faced with multiple competing priorities for investment in library resources, there are many important aspects to consider. From student enrollment to prominence of programs, there are both data-driven and intangible factors to weigh. In addition, most library collections now focus on the immediate needs of students and researchers instead of collecting for posterity. This just-in-time versus just-in-case collection development mindset prioritizes different resource attributes and requires an often unfamiliar level of acquisitions flexibility.
How researchers need and use libraries through their careers. From an EMALINK one-day conference 'Supporting the research agenda' 21st January 2009. Presenter Jo Webb. Based on collaborative work with Moira Bent and Pat Gannon-Leary
Presentation and workshop notes from session on how to apply the Researcher Development Framework to library and information service provision for research/e support
Uses case studies of different types of researchers.
Workshop notes integrated into the presentation
Research in Distance Education:
from present findings to future agendas. Supporting teaching and learning strand presentation.
Sandra Tury
Online Services, University of London Research Library Services
Seeing That Students Succeed: Rising Expectations and the Library's Role in T...Kate Lawrence
Roger Schonfeld of Ithaka S+R and Kate Lawrence of EBSCO co-presented a talk at the Charleston Library Conference on the topic of students success, learning outcomes and the role of librarians and faculty in teaching information literacy skills.
presented at the Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL) National Seminar-Workshop on Empowering Information Professionals to Make a Difference, held at Fernando Hall, Ateneo de Naga University, Naga City, Philippines, 24 Oct 2006
Presentation given by Miggie Pickton at event run by CILIP University College & Research Group, Yorkshire and Humber branch - Librarians as Researchers: Getting Your Voice Heard.
What are we doing about data? Emerging roles in data librarianship and Tales ...Donna Kafel
Slides presented by Donna Kafel and Regina Raboin at the Oct. 13, 2014 meeting of the Oberlin Science Librarians at Williams College. Discusses pivotal events that have fostered the open data movement, emerging roles for librarians, resources from the NE e-Science Program, and the research data management partnerships and initiatives of Tufts University's Library Research Data Services Working Group.
What are we doing about data? Emerging roles in data librarianship and Tales ...Donna Kafel
These slides were presented by Donna Kafel and Regina Raboin at the annual Oberlin Science Librarians meeting on Oct. 13, 2014. Topics include funding data sharing requirements, evolution of data advocacy and data sharing policies, competencies required for managing data, NE e-Science program initiatives,and the activities of Tufts Libraries' Research Data Management Working Group
A brief overview of the Information Services Team’s response to a rapidly changing Higher Education and Research environment at the Glucksman Library, University of Limerick.
Donna O Doibhlin
Honest Reviews of Tim Han LMA Course Program.pptxtimhan337
Personal development courses are widely available today, with each one promising life-changing outcomes. Tim Han’s Life Mastery Achievers (LMA) Course has drawn a lot of interest. In addition to offering my frank assessment of Success Insider’s LMA Course, this piece examines the course’s effects via a variety of Tim Han LMA course reviews and Success Insider comments.
Embracing GenAI - A Strategic ImperativePeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
Welcome to TechSoup New Member Orientation and Q&A (May 2024).pdfTechSoup
In this webinar you will learn how your organization can access TechSoup's wide variety of product discount and donation programs. From hardware to software, we'll give you a tour of the tools available to help your nonprofit with productivity, collaboration, financial management, donor tracking, security, and more.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
Acetabularia Information For Class 9 .docxvaibhavrinwa19
Acetabularia acetabulum is a single-celled green alga that in its vegetative state is morphologically differentiated into a basal rhizoid and an axially elongated stalk, which bears whorls of branching hairs. The single diploid nucleus resides in the rhizoid.
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
Overview on Edible Vaccine: Pros & Cons with Mechanism
Researchingresearchers
1. Researching researchers: developing a one-stop-shop for research support Michelle Schneider, Academic Skills Development Officer Lilac Conference, March 2010
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Editor's Notes
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We have been increasing our support for researchers, in particular in information literacy, over last 6-7 years. Have had small amount of Roberts funding during this time – developed face to face half day teaching sessions for PhDs, run now by subject librarians; offer general workshops e.g. Endnote, RSS etc. popular with research-level students / staff. Aware of time restrictions / part-time nature / varied commitments of research staff – wanted to look at online alternative for them in particular (note Roberts funding should deliver to both groups), but also back-up teaching sessions for PhDs. Also aware that info for researchers was scattered about our website / different formats etc.- wanted to bring together.
4 stages – research phase, user needs analysis, development phase and evaluation phase. Research – Literature review, good practice elsewhere, own resources. An update of a 2006 literature review on information literacy support for researchers was completed in October 2008; specific focus on Health and e-learning. User needs – talk about in a minute Development – plan for content developed, based on findings of research & needs analysis phases Evaluation and recommendations – going back to people who had helped in user needs analysis stage; and taking us into phase 2 of the project
In focus groups, questionnaires etc, researchers / librarians: Reviewed at least 2 online resources from elsewhere Commented on usefulness (to themselves / a researcher) and usability of the resource Structured discussion (or questions) on what content they would like / how they would use an online resource. Difficult to get researchers to engage / devote time to this, despite direct invites from subject librarians. Total of about 70 responses, including librarians and support staff. Also some data from a general questionnaire on training needs to one institute – 62 responses to this. Resources looked at included: WIRE – Warwick Information for Researchers University Hospitals Leicester e-learning module (online tutorial) RESIN – Research information at Newcastle Engage in research- interactive resource for Bioscience students (Reading) York University Library – Information for Researchers webpage Graduate IL module (Galway, TC Dublin, Cork)
A reference guide or “one-stop shop” resource based on the key stages of the research process with links signposting researchers to relevant library resources, as well as other sources of research support available within the University and externally. Researchers commented that a webpage format with links to relevant material was preferable to an interactive resource with e-learning modules and quizzes. Researchers mindset is focused on getting training to help with specific aspects of their career & work; this applies whether online or face to face.
Vision needed a rethink
Researchers and Librarians agreed on the main topics, but highlighted different ones as well. Researchers wanted broader range of info than would usually be offered through Library. Librarians wanted to present a wide range of resources covering all subject areas; but were also aware of some newer developments that would be useful to researchers (OA; primary source digitisation; library support for REF; what portal could offer in personalising content).
A compromise? A bit beyond library but not including as much as requested by researchers. There are areas we could still develop; we are currently looking at how to develop the literature searching section to include other subject areas. The top 2 headings (process and ethics) draw a lot from information outside the Library.
So we used the user analysis to develop the resource, then 6 months later went back to evaluate R@L. Questionnaire to researchers- asked to explore the site for 15 minutes then comment on its “look”, navigation, usefulness and provide any other feedback. Also evaluated by librarians, other support staff. 42 responses in total. Restrictions of our website made it difficult to present sub-sections / menus within a large section such as literature searching. We are hoping to develop a specific menu to ease this problem. Step-by-step or dip-in? Only 7.7% would navigate from beginning to end. However if information must be presented in a logical manner- what is the best way to do this with such complex info? Though only the literature searching section is subject specific, there were no negative comments about this, suggesting that for most sections generic information is ok. Now developing literature searching section in other subject areas. Note though we have only evaluated with Medicine / Health staff- will this be an issue elsewhere?
It is difficult to cater for research staff and students in one resource, because their approaches are different. Librarians want to tell researchers about everything step by step. One librarian commented that we should “alter the order of the boxes to be more library intense”. Do we find it hard to see our information from a researcher viewpoint? Future plans: we have reviewed lit searching section since feedback referred to here and made some improvements (though navigation still an issue). We will add further subject content and gather more feedback. Also like to do some evaluation at levels of learning / behaviours – what is the impact of the resource on researchers?