In the Research Department, Scholarly Communication Services is a specialized area of academic support that enhances research visibility, measures impact, and facilitates the dissemination of knowledge throughout the university community. This service complements traditional reference services by offering targeted support to advance faculty research.
Publication Strategy and Research Impact
The Heads of Research and Circulation Services offer detailed guidance on developing publication strategies through personalized consultations. By collaborating closely with faculty, they help evaluate journal impact factors, explore open-access options, and navigate the scholarly publishing landscape.
Research Identity Management and Impact Assessment
Librarians use their expertise to assist faculty in developing and maintaining their scholarly research identities. This specialized service helps faculty establish and curate their academic profiles on platforms such as Google Scholar. Additionally, this service works in conjunction with citation analysis support, enabling faculty to understand and improve their research impact using data-driven methods.
Open Access and Digital Repository Integration
The Reference Department's scholarly communication initiatives focus on guiding open-access publishing and engagement with the institutional repository. Librarians help faculty navigate publisher agreements, understand copyright issues, and enhance the visibility of their research through strategic submissions to the repository. This service complements the broader reference support available, ensuring that faculty research is effectively distributed while adhering to publisher and institutional requirements.
Digital Scholarship and Knowledge Dissemination
Librarians use their reference expertise to provide specialized support for new forms of digital scholarship. They work closely with researchers to create comprehensive strategies for managing and sharing research data, supporting digital humanities projects, and utilizing alternative metrics. This integrated approach ensures that faculty receive sophisticated and tailored assistance throughout their research journey, from the initial literature review to final publication and impact assessment.
Learning Outcomes
The nature of scholarly communication support differs significantly from general reference interactions. While research services often include direct teaching moments that can be measured through Point of Service learning outcomes, scholarly communication work usually revolves around continuous professional collaboration and consultation with faculty members. These interactions prioritize enhancing the impact and visibility of research rather than focusing on teaching specific skills.