Content
Library Research Support Strategy
Context
Research priorities at USC are guided by the Research and Research Training Plan 2009–2011. In the context of the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) regime, with its focus on research quality and evaluation, the University has committed to undertaking, supporting and promoting high quality research. USC’s research capacity is growing, with designated research centres and groups established and increasing numbers of higher degree by research students enrolled.
The USC Library is a strategic partner in the University’s research initiatives and has a key role in providing resources, professional advice, training and management of research output. The Library’s engagement with the research process is determined in part by the new competitive research environment and by the increase of sophisticated online content and tools available to researchers.
This Strategy provides a framework for the Library’s engagement with, and support of, research at USC and aims to formalise existing processes as well as develop a foundation for the future. The Strategy will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure its continued relevance to USC’s research priorities.
Current environment
The Library currently supports the research process through collaboration with, and support of, research staff and students, training, the provision of appropriate resources and management of Coast Research Database.
In terms of collaboration and support, key Library staff involved in research services are Faculty Librarians, Information and Research Services Coordinator and the Research Information Systems Coordinator. The Library is represented on the Research Management Committee, Learning and Teaching Management Committee, Academic Board and faculty learning and teaching and research committees. Faculty Librarians are assigned to each Faculty or School and the Information and Research Services Coordinator liaises with the Office of Research to provide targeted research support services. The Library provides support to researchers in the use and application of research resources and the analysis of research output.
Training is conducted in a variety of ways targeted to client groups and needs, eg online, through the Research Essentials program, within individual courses, in collaboration with the Office of Research, through regular Endnote classes and on a one-on-one basis on request.
In terms of resource provision, the Library subscribes to a selection of research quality online databases, and content management and analysis tools. Researchers have access to document delivery and interlibrary loan to supplement the Library’s own resources. The physical collection includes print resources on developing research strategies and research methodologies as well as research publications.
The Library manages USC’s institutional repository, Coast Research Database, which showcases the research output of USC’s staff and students. The Library is also responsible for the digitisation of Herbarium samples and records, included as a sub-set of Coast Research.
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Library objectives
The Library aims to strengthen its contribution to USC’s research direction through actions outlined below under the themes of:
- Partnerships
- Training
- Provision of resources and facilities
- Research output and data management
1. Partnerships
Collaborating with key stakeholders
Collaboration with research staff and students ensures that researchers are aware of the Library services and resources available to them, and that Library staff are aware of their research needs. Key stakeholders in the research process have been identified as:
- PVC (Research)
- Deans, Heads of Schools, Research Coordinators
- Directors of Research Centres or Groups
- Office of Research
- USC researchers, with a particular focus on early career and established researchers
- Research students
- Information Technology Services
- Research Management Committee
The Library will:
- work with key stakeholders to investigate opportunities for external collaboration and support, eg ANDS (Australian National Data Service)
- work jointly with the Office of Research on the planning and implementation of research activities and initiatives
- run focus groups to monitor and meet research needs
- develop a procedure with Faculty Research Coordinators to identify new research staff and students
- contribute to development of Honours research programs to ensure inclusion of appropriate skills training and information literacy
- participate in University fora, seminars and workshops
- participate on relevant committees, eg Research Management Committee, Learning and Teaching Committee, Academic Board, faculty research and learning and teaching committees
- investigate the potential for joint projects between faculty and library staff
Providing support for researchers
The research process, particularly for students or staff new to research, can be challenging and complex. Faculty Librarians can work with researchers in accessing information resources and advising on the use of bibliometric tools, complementing the formal training services outlined below.
The Library will:
- offer individual appointments with Faculty Librarians to research students
- continue faculty “drop-in” sessions for researchers
- provide customised classes at point of need for different cohorts of researchers
- provide regular updates on the Library’s engagement with research at USC, including trends, new services and resources through a regular online newsletter, the Library’s printed newsletter and Library web pages
- work with Student Services to develop training resources for research students
- develop a series of resources packages for researchers, including those located away from the Sippy Downs campus, eg research stations
2. Training
Establishing a training framework for research progression
The development of information literacy and skills in the use of research databases, bibliometric tools and online resources is ongoing and incremental. It is important that the scaffolding of skills established in undergraduate study is maintained as students progress through honours and on to postgraduate research.
The Library will:
- identify a set of advanced research skills appropriate for research students and staff to inform planning for training programs
- work with faculties to develop a Library research training map for students continuing or planning to continue to further study, in the context of USC’s Research Graduate Attributes
- work with the Office of Research, Student Services and faculties to strengthen the Library’s role in the Research Essentials program
Training research staff and students in the use of analytic tools to report and analyse research output and quality
Changes to university funding regimes require researchers to be more strategic with their publication output and more active in the management of their research. The Library supports research output by subscribing to key bibliometric analysis tools. In cooperation with the Office of Research, the Library can provide training in the use of these tools and other reporting mechanisms.
The Library will:
- organise workshops for researchers on the use of bibliographic tools and metrics to enable them to strategically target their publication and analyse their research output
- develop online learning resources to support the use of bibliographic tools and metrics
- develop a self-assessment tool in the use of metrics tools to enable researchers to identify their competencies
- provide specific training for Office of Research staff in the use of research resources to aid in the documentation and reporting of USC’s research outputs
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3. Provision of resources and facilities
Building a Library collection of resources which are relevant to the research direction of the University
To date the USC Library collection has focussed on resources which support teaching and learning, primarily at undergraduate level. As the University’s research activity increases, the Library will review its collection development priorities to ensure the specific needs of research are being met.
The Library will:
- map the University’s research strengths and potential growth areas
- develop a plan for the ongoing development, analysis and review of the Library’s research resources
- review article linker capabilities to ensure access to the maximum number of resources
- promote, manage and enable access to free and open access material
Providing spaces and facilities which enhance the research environment at USC
Many university libraries provide “graduate study” areas, which may include lockable desks, reserve access computers or more comfortable seating. USC has facilities in the faculties and the Graduate Centre for research students and staff, but no designated Library spaces.
The Library will:
- investigate the viability of creating “research spaces” in the Library
4. Research output and data management
Populating and promoting Coast Research Database
Institutional repositories have been established in all Australian universities in recent years to showcase the research output of their staff and students, an increasingly important factor in the ERA environment. The Library has managed the development and ongoing operation of USC’s repository, Coast Research, including the Herbarium collection.
The Library will:
- work with the Office of Research to expand the content of Coast Research, including increasing the proportion of full-text resources
- continue the digitisation of the Herbarium collection
Managing research data
There is an increasing awareness of the need for the data generated by research to be effectively managed, preserved and made accessible to colleagues and the broader community, particularly in the context of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
The Library will:
- work with ITS, Office of Research and other key stakeholders to develop guidelines for the effective management of USC research data
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