Investigation and analysis of research support services in academic libraries

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims at understanding the current situation of research support services offered by academic libraries in world-leading universities and providing useful implications and insights for other academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach Of the top 100 universities listed in the QS World University Rankings in 2017, 76 libraries were selected as samples and a website investigation was conducted to explore the research support services. The statistical method and visualization software was used to generalize the key services, and the text analysis and case analysis were applied to reveal the corresponding implementation. Findings Research support service has become one of the significant services of academic libraries in the context of e-research and data-intensive research. The research support services can be generally divided into seven aspects, as follows: research data management (62, 81.58 per cent), open access (64, 84.21 per cent), scholarly publishing (59, 77.63 per cent), research impact measurement (32, 42.11 per cent), research guides (47, 61.84 per cent), research consultation (59, 77.63 per cent) and research tools recommendation (38, 50.00 per cent). Originality/value This paper makes a comprehensive investigation of research support services in academic libraries of top-ranking universities worldwide. The findings will help academic libraries improve research support services; thus, advancing the work of researchers and promoting scientific discovery.

Embedded librarians as research partners in South Korea

“…In addition, these librarians report on scientific methodology and review the final manuscript with the other authors (Gore and Jones, 2015; Rethlefsen et al, 2015). In other words, the traditional reference/liaison work of the academic library has been transformed into a new type of research support demanded by the research project team, and the embedded librarian performs such a modified research support service (Bedi and Walde, 2017; Jaguszewski and Williams, 2013; Si et al, 2019).…”

Implementing Data Management Workflows in Research Groups Through Integrated Library Consultancy

“…Trust between librarians and faculty must be established before faculty will consider integrating librarians into the research process. In previous work, interactions like this have been initiated by advertising consultancy services to faculty and students using online applications and appointments (Carroll et al, 2020;Si et al, 2019). However, it is generally a good idea to take an active approach by contacting faculty that have already shown an interest in improving their data management practices or those that have a good professional relationship with the specific librarians that will be working with their groups.…”

“…Many initiatives that incorporate librarians into the research process are already in place at universities. Most of the top 100 universities in the world already have research support services involving their libraries (Si, Zeng, Guo, & Zhuang, 2019). However, in most cases only basic data management services are provided, such as Data Management Plan assistance and instruction on best practices (Cox, Kennan, Lyon, & Pinfield, 2017;Cox, Kennan, Lyon, Pinfield, & Sbaffi, 2019;Kollen et al, 2017).…”

“…Many data management case studies involve close interaction with the research group for only a portion of the research data life cycle. Surveys indicate that most libraries do offer personal, in-depth interactions in the form of research consultations (Si et al, 2019), but most of these interactions occur in the form of workshops, general data management instruction, or tool/ code training (Murray et al, 2019). Research data services are typically available to help with the early stages of a project in the form of data management plans or data management training, or near the end of project when data preservation and dissemination become issues (Murray et al, 2019;Petters et al, 2019).…”

Conveying Complexity in Contemporary Academic Library Service Models

“…However, from a patron perspective, especially a person walking into an academic library for the first time, the experience of engaging with library employees is remarkably similar to what it has been historically (Hoppe and Jung, 2017). Libraries do a great deal of work behind the scenes relating to collections, systems and an increasing array of support services designed to branch directly into various universitywide functions and departments (Si, Zeng, Guo, & Zhuang, 2019). With changing patron and administrative expectations of a contemporary academic library, the duties and priorities of library employees are in a time of flux (Johnson, 2018).…”