eResearch for UWS Future Research Leaders | Blog: University of Western Sydney eResearch Team

Here are some notes for a presentation by members of the eResearch team to the University of Western Sydney Future Research Leaders Program session on Thursday June 6 ^th 2014.

With only a ten minute slot in which to present, we decided to keep the presentation at a very high level, and what better way to that by tying it to the eResearch ‘vision statement’.

Support the objectives of the UWS research plan by creating an eResearch Ready UWS , where information and communications technologies support the collaborative conduct of high-impact, high-integrity research with minimal geographical and organisational constraints. eResearch will assist in the transition to a research culture where IT and communications technologies are integral to all research, from the fundamental underpinnings of data acquisition and creation, management and archiving, to analytical and methodological processes. Our aim is to work with stakeholders within and beyond the university to ensure UWS researchers have the information and communications technology resources, infrastructure, support and skills required, wherever they are on the path to an eResearch ready UWS.

The eResearch vision has three clauses. Lets go through them one by one.

Q. Why are we here? A. Impact & Integrity

1. Support the objectives of the UWS research plan by creating an eResearch Ready UWS , where information and communications technologies support the collaborative conduct of high-impact , high-integrity research with minimal geographical and organisational constraints.

Research Integrity

UWS website says:

The University aims to encourage and ensure integrity in research and scholarship as both an intrinsic value and to meet its obligation to research funding bodies, governments and the public as set out in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) and the international Singapore Statement on Research Integrity .

Advisors…

In order to provide researchers (both staff and students) with support and resources to achieve this outcome, the University has appointed Research Ethics and Integrity Advisors. Research Ethics and Integrity Advisors are experienced researchers with a good knowledge and understanding of accepted practices in research who actively promote UWS’s commitment to the responsible conduct of research.

… and you can talk to the eResearch team about data management and planning the ‘e’ part of your research , to maximize the integrity of your research.

Research Impact

The library has a page on measuring research impact . See also Alt Metrics as new ways of measuring impact.

But:

… impact is not simply metrics … Impact should be a direct focus of our Research Plan (RP) and in framing the research agenda. Impact case studies will be a mainstream activity among our research communities and we aim to be a sector benchmark in this regard…

Scott Holmes, DVC R&D

Research Impact: new ways of working

Doing eResearch will help with impact via publishing and reuse of data and enabling new modes of research that increase its reach and effectiveness, for example the UWS-led $3M Alveo project .

Q. Why are we here? A. Training and organizational development

2. eResearch will assist in the transition to a research culture where IT and communications technologies are integral to all research, from the fundamental underpinnings of data acquisition and creation, management and archiving, to analytical and methodological processes.

We’re building capability by grass-roots training and engagement

UWS eResearch is trying-out the Research Bazaar approach created by David Flanders and Steve Manos at Melbourne uni . The Melbourne approach is to enlist HDR workers to up-skill research groups from the inside out.

Q. Why are we here? A. To help set the agenda for our IT department

3. Our aim is to work with stakeholders within and beyond the university to ensure UWS researchers have the information and communications technology resources, infrastructure, support and skills required, wherever they are on the path to an eResearch ready UWS.

We work with ITS, and our eResearch partner Intersect to make sure that the right services are on offer.