Research Support Service (RSS)

Research Support Ser ice (RSS): Research Support Service (RSS): an initiation of a new service at the library,Eastern University Sri LankaEastern University Sri Lanka

Presented on ULA Academic Session @ University of Ruhuna on 06th February 2015

M N Ravikumar S Shantharooban & T RamananM. N. Ravikumar , S. Shantharooban & T. RamananLibrary,Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

Introduction

All universities are try to increase their ranking in theacademic arenaacademic arena.

University ranking system is mainly based on the quality ofresearch output

Library service is highly influential on the quality of researchoutput of the university

“the success of research, at both national andinstitutional levels, depends critically on the qualityof information services provided to researchers”(Research Information Network, 2008),

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications

EUSL ‐ View

EUSL is working towards to increase its rank

However it was observed that the research outcome ofHowever, it was observed that the research outcome ofEUSL is lower than expected

Especially publishing in peer-reviewed journals seems to beless

Most of undergraduates’ dissertations are below inacademic standardsacademic standards

Students have difficulties…- selecting research problems- selecting research problems,- employing appropriate research design & analyses,- academic writings

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications

Need for New Service

Moreover, Electronic resources offered by UGC e-journalsconsortium and INASP - underutilized in EUSLconsortium and INASP - underutilized in EUSL.

Therefore Library should seek proactive and innovativeTherefore, Library should seek proactive and innovativemechanisms to address all these issues.

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications

YOUR RESEARCH ! OUR RESPONSIBILITY !!

The EUSL Library Proudly PresentsResearch Support Service [RSS]

Objective:jTo enhance the quality of research out of the institutionvia

t th t d t d d i i th i h• support the students and academics in their researchactivities, and

• guide them to use the available e-resourceseffectively

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success ofresearch and academic publications

YOUR RESEARCH ! OUR RESPONSIBILITY !!

The EUSL Library Proudly PresentsResearch Support Service [RSS]

Objective:This service includes series of workshop andjTo enhance the quality of research out of the institutionvia

t th t d t d d i i th i h

f pseminars for group users from..

Undergraduates- final year students• support the students and academics in their research

activities, and• guide them to use the available e-resources

Academics – junior academics

effectively

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success ofresearch and academic publications

RSS ‐ Content

• Effective use of e-resource and internet for literaturesearch and reviewsearch and review

• Academic writing, copyright issues and fair

use, plagiarism, referencing styles

• Use of ‘EndNote’ reference management system

• Use of Ms-Office applications to assist thesis writings

I t d ti t t ti ti l k (SPSS Mi it b)• Introduction to statistical packages (SPSS, Minitab).

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications

Major Challenge 

Poor response to library’s workshops especially fromacademicsacademics

Some workshops were postponed due to lack ofSome workshops were postponed due to lack ofparticipants

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications

Strategies 

Success Story 

Received 60 plus applications for the workshops

Workshops were successfully conducted for academics &studentsstudents

Feedback 

80

90

10098

92

88 92

86

60

70

80 78 86

e

30

40

50

Percen

tage

0

10

20

Workshop was worth attending They  were 

aware of more e‐resources than 

they were before

Research ethics are vital to their research field

Importance of citations in research

Endnote is going to enhance the  More confidence 

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications

quality of their publications

in anyaltical techiques

Feedback …more 

It was observed that after having the workshops….

o the students are frequently consulting librarians than everbefore to get assistance for their research activities.

o faculty staff have approached the librarians to organizethis workshop for their faculty students separatelythis workshop for their faculty students separately

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications

Recommendation 

Study recommends to continue and further develop thisservice apply to subject disciplines and measure theservice apply to subject disciplines and measure theeffectiveness of the programme.

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications

Conclusion 

University library’s and librarians’ role are in a transitionphase, moving from the ownership to information access

New paradigm has emerged for librarians in new century tovalue their role among the academic community

The RSS proves that librarians can able to provide serviceswith demonstrable links to success in achieving institutionalgoals.g

RSS- increase the physical interaction with users

RSS – give reorganization to librarians and make themg gproactive in academic arena.

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications

Acknowledgement 

I express my gratitude to the co‐authors & my colleaguesM R & M Sh h b f h i dMr. Ramanan & Mr. Shantharooban for their tremendoussupport to success the new service

I wish to thank our Librarian & all staff of Library , EUSL fortheir support & encouragementtheir support & encouragement.

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications

Library’s & Librarians’ role in the success of research and academic publications