the librarys role in the research cycle

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNITNAVORSINGSEENHEID

SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEKLEVEL 6 | VLAK 6

The Library’s role in the research cycle



What drives change on the research horizon?

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



How do you approach research?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP5DG_15yB8






National research imperative

Higher education institutions in South Africa are strategically

driven to develop the highest standards of research, as the

reputation and recognition of these institutions lie in their ability to

generate new knowledge of high impact and relevance. http://www.ufs.ac.za/research/research-at-the-ufs-home/research-strategy-and-integrity/research-strategy

http://www.ufs.ac.za/research/research-at-the-ufs-home/research-strategy-and-integrity/research-strategy



National Development Plan, 2030

• Increased masters and doctoral enrolments• Increased number of permanent academic staff with PhDs

(http://www.gov.za/sites/www.gov.za/files/Executive%20Summary-NDP%202030%20-%20Our%20future%20-%20make%20it%20work.pdf

)

http://www.gov.za/sites/www.gov.za/files/Executive%20Summary-NDP%202030%20-%20Our%20future%20-%20make%20it%20work.pdf

http://www.gov.za/sites/www.gov.za/files/Executive%20Summary-NDP%202030%20-%20Our%20future%20-%20make%20it%20work.pdf



UFS Research Strategy

“The University of the Free State (UFS) has made sound progress

in the past ten years in terms of shifting its research development

from an administrative to a strategic function, and in accelerating

efforts to place research at the core of all academic activity.”http://www.ufs.ac.za/research/research-at-the-ufs-home/research-strategy-and-integrity/research-strategy

http://www.ufs.ac.za/research/research-at-the-ufs-home/research-strategy-and-integrity/research-strategy



So where does the library feature in the research cycle?

In the naïve view, all researchers want from the library are

journals, journals, and more journals – free and online. They see

little need to visit the library or communicate with librarians.

Let’s investigate…



A simple research cycle

Prepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure

http://www.slideshare.net/luciaschoombee/research-support-services-at-an-academic-library-presented-at-ufs-27112013





• Background reading/ looking for ideas

• Deciding on a topic

• Formulating a research question

• Securing funding

• Planning the project

• Identifying skills deficits & planning for workshops

Prepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure






• Literature review

• Research design

• Research method

• Research proposal

• Ethical compliance

• Data collection

Prepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

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Measure






• Data analysis

• Writing

• Edit/proofreading

• Bibliographic management

• Comply with copyright & plagiarism

Prepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

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Measure






• Managing and preserving research output and data

• Research outputs

• Research data

Prepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

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Measure






• Publication in books

• Publication in traditional journals

• Open access publishing

• Conference papers

• Publication in social media

Prepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

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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

Prepare

Gather

Create

Preserve

Share

Measure






Each research cycle is unique to the researcher…



We think the ideal research cycle looks like this



Remember…

… the research process is not a linear one!



There is already a great deal of work undertaken in the Library that directly and indirectly supports research, but it is very hard for a researcher to discover this…



So what will you find here…

• 2 dedicated research librarians• Work stations (computers and wi-fi area)• Discussion rooms• Links (also tips and hints) to an endless supply of research

information to assist you the researcher• AND hot water for plenty of coffee (provided you bring your own

coffee that is).



Carmen Nel051 401 [email protected]

the librarys role in the research cycle

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