The document discusses the role of libraries in the research cycle. It outlines the typical stages of a research cycle as prepare, gather, create, preserve, share, and measure. At each stage, the library can provide resources and support to researchers, such as assisting with literature reviews, data management, publishing, and assessing the impact of research. The library aims to make researchers aware of these services by establishing a dedicated research unit with librarians, workstations, and discussion rooms to support research activities from topic selection to publication and beyond.
2. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
NAVORSINGSEENHEID
SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
LEVEL 6 | VLAK 6
What drives change on the research
horizon?
• Changing technologies
• Abundant digital information
• Increased understanding users
• Evolving research methods
• Scholarly communication
4. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
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SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
LEVEL 6 | VLAK 6
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
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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)
6. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
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SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
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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
7. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
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SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
LEVEL 6 | VLAK 6
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…
8. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
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SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
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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
9. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
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SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
LEVEL 6 | VLAK 6
• 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
http://www.slideshare.net/luciaschoombee/research-support-services-at-an-
academic-library-presented-at-ufs-27112013
10. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
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SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
LEVEL 6 | VLAK 6
• Literature review
• Research design
• Research method
• Research proposal
• Ethical compliance
• Data collection
Prepare
Gather
Create
Preserve
Share
Measure
http://www.slideshare.net/luciaschoombee/research-support-services-at-an-
academic-library-presented-at-ufs-27112013
11. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
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SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
LEVEL 6 | VLAK 6
• Data analysis
• Writing
• Edit/proofreading
• Bibliographic management
• Comply with copyright & plagiarism
Prepare
Gather
Create
Preserve
Share
Measure
http://www.slideshare.net/luciaschoombee/research-support-services-at-an-
academic-library-presented-at-ufs-27112013
12. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
NAVORSINGSEENHEID
SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
LEVEL 6 | VLAK 6
• Managing and preserving research
output and data
• Research outputs
• Research data
Prepare
Gather
Create
Preserve
Share
Measure
http://www.slideshare.net/luciaschoombee/research-support-services-at-an-
academic-library-presented-at-ufs-27112013
13. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
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SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
LEVEL 6 | VLAK 6
• Publication in books
• Publication in traditional journals
• Open access publishing
• Conference papers
• Publication in social media
Prepare
Gather
Create
Preserve
Share
Measure
http://www.slideshare.net/luciaschoombee/research-support-services-at-an-
academic-library-presented-at-ufs-27112013
18. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
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SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
LEVEL 6 | VLAK 6
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…
20. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH UNIT
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SASOL LIBRARY | SASOL-BIBLIOTEEK
LEVEL 6 | VLAK 6
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).
It is a worldwide phenomenon that RS is expanding and transforming
And this comes as a reaction to major forces which have a fundamental impact on universities + libraries
The forces behind this phenomen have been at play for the last 10 -15 years:
They include
new and rapidly changing technologies
an abundance of digital information in various formats
an increased understanding of how students learn
evolving research methods
changing practices in how scholars share their research (OA / Institutional repository)
Open-access (OA) literature is digital, online, free of charge, and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions. What makes it possible is the internet and the consent of the author or copyright-holder.
Digital repository is the University wharehouse where all research output is shared to make it visible to the world – ours is called KovsieScholar
Particularly there is a call on Higher Education for:
Increased targets for publication output rate
Increased enrolment in science, engineering and technology
Universities are seen as playing an extremely important role in enhancing innovation skills through research output and student throughput.
(Green paper: The national target has been set at 5,000 doctoral graduates a year by 2030)
The Research Strategy is driven by the Mission of the UFS. At its core, the strategy seeks to promote relevant elements of the Mission:
Setting the highest standards for undergraduate and postgraduate educationRecruiting the best and most diverse students and professors into the UniversityAdvancing excellence in the scholarship of research, teaching and public servicePromoting innovation, distinctiveness and leadership in both academic and human pursuits Establishing transparent opportunities in lifelong learning for academic and support staff
Where do you see the library’s role in your research?
Even though we know that the process of research does not follow this linear pattern, it helps us to place ourselves in the process to see what still needs doing.
A simple research cycle we identify can identify with which has 6 phases and represents a fusion of a number of life cycles in the literature
We will briefly run through them
As part of the “Gather” aspect, we find literature by doing a literature search for the researcher (known as a literature search).
We show you how to manage references (be it by means of Mendeley or any other means)
Copyright questions? Ask the library
Plagiarism – Turn it In – we can provide basic training
Managing and preserving research output and data
Research outputs may include textual data (eg pre- and post-print journal articles, conference papers, presentations and often theses and dissertations), images, moving images and sound recordings;
Research data may include datasets on which research publications are based; and other experimental data.
Where do we preserve data:
Institutional repository all research output is shared to make it visible to the world – ours is called KovsieScholar (launch)
Again:
Institutional repository all research output is shared to make it visible to the world – ours is called KovsieScholar (launch)
Contains:
Conference proceedings
M & D dissertations
Journal articles published by the University
How do we measure our research output?
By determining jnl impact – Bibliometrics – which is a whole discussion for those who missed the presentation on Monday – by assessing on WoS – your librry can show you how
The library is a vital part of the research cycle – it features everywhere
We as librarians are here to facilitate the connection of the researcher with the needed information – we serve as a gateway to knowledge
Remember – Google knows everything but your librarian knows more!
Every researcher has his or her own unique way of conducting research.
William Rae, an enthusiastic researcher at the medical faculty uses an Afrikaans word – “weetgierigheid” which means a desire for knowledge.
So let’s research this –
The Library is an environment in which you can work with diverse contact points – meaning the diversity of information found in the library
The Library environment supports and is conducive to research