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 etcVerifying 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.