The role of the librarian in the
Research Evaluation process
information
Kate BradburyResearch Support, Library
OutlineDrivers of institutional research evaluation requirements
Role descriptionKnowledgeSkillsFuture directions
Institutional research evaluation: drivers
External factors REF2014 Impact/Value for
Money Performance/league
tables Grant
applications/awards
Internal factors Promotions Evaluating
particular initiatives
Departmental performance
Funding allocations
Role description – data elements
REF 2014 – Outputs, Environment, ImpactDatabase/repository for outputsBibliometric data retrievalCollaboration data – by institution & countryUsage & hits data Integrating bibliometric data into repositoriesWorking with data providers to improve data
quality [eg. affiliations] and services offered
Role description – other elements
Helping to find evidence of impact – social, economic, cultural etc
Verifying details of outputsUniversity liaisonLibrary liaisonTraining & advocacy
KnowledgeAwareness of the research landscape &
understanding needs of researchers.Databases – what you can do with current
databases [eg.WoK, Scopus], what is freely available [eg. ResearcherID, Google Scholar, Publish or Perish] and what might be purchased [eg. InCites, SciVal Suite]
Understanding data context and limitations.
SkillsData – attention to detail, cross-
checking.Technical – retrieval of bibliometric
data; search skills for finding evidence of impact and verifying outputs; using spreadsheets and database software.
Evaluation – processing data and writing reports.
Presenting, advocacy & training.
Some future directionsREF2014 and beyond – using the institutional
repository as a main publications database; bibliometric data & evidence of impact.
Data & software developments – as database providers respond to new requirements; integration & repurposing of research data from all sources.
Budget constraints – Value for Money; shrinking university and consequently library budgets [staff, stock].
Combination with other roles/skills eg. Research Information Manager role.