The No-Nonsense Guide to Research Support and Scholarly Communication

Abstract

The challenges surrounding the areas of scholarly communication and research support initiatives for academic libraries are a huge and complex topic. This book attempts to provide a succinct, introductory presentation to the many issues and approaches for academic librarians and offer various ideas for engagement and strategic direction. Divided into eight chapters, the book is not meant to be read cover-to-cover but be used as a quick primer on each topic. The arrangement of the topics roughly follows the lifecycle of research projects, thus providing the reader with a roadmap for success. Chapter 1 dives into scholarly communication 101, discussing open research practices along with a case study from a real-life research lifecycle. Chapter 2 examines research data management and how data is stored, shared, ethical considerations, and what a data management plan (DMP) is and how to facilitate its construction. Another case study is included along with a practical exercise using Lego bricks to teach metadata skills. Chapter 3 delves into open access, its benefits and challenges, funder mandates, and assisting researchers in compliance issues related to open access. Chapter 4 assists with disseminating research results related to publication and the peer review process, while chapter 5 deals with metrics and measuring impact. The most common methods of assessment and using metrics in academia are discussed, along with an activity that encourages librarians to create an impact report based on a range of metrics. Chapter 6 details various roles and career paths available to librarians and library staff in order to support research and scholarly communication activities, while Chapter 7 provides a guide for librarians and library staff who wish to create new knowledge and participate in scholarly research themselves. Chapter 8 provides an annotated list of recommended resources and readings as part of the conclusion. For those looking for an introductory guide to scholarly communication and research support, this is the book to obtain. It nicely summarizes the research lifecycle in all its emanations and contains numerous case studies and exercises for exploring the topics first-hand.