This paper reports research carried out at the end of 2012 to survey UK universities understand in detail ways which libraries are currently involved data management and extent development services is a strategic priority for them. The shows that were offering limited services, with highest levels activity large research-intensive institutions. There major challenges associated skills gaps, resourcing cultural change. However, developing new institutional policies see this as an important...

This article reports an international study of research data management (RDM) activities, services, and capabilities in higher education libraries. It presents the results a survey covering libraries Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, UK. The indicate that have provided leadership RDM, particularly advocacy policy development. Service development is still limited, focused especially on advisory consultancy services (such as planning support data‐related training),...

Purpose The last few years have seen a surge of interest in artificial intelligence (AI). purpose this paper is to capture snapshot perceptions the potential impact AI on academic libraries and reflect its implications for library work. Design/methodology/approach data study were interviews with 33 directors, commentators experts education publishing. Findings Interviewees identified impacts search resource discovery, scholarly publishing learning. Challenges included being left outside...

As open‐access ( OA ) publishing funded by article‐processing charges APCs becomes more widely accepted, academic institutions need to be aware of the “total cost publication” (TCP), comprising subscription costs plus and additional administration costs. This study analyzes data from 23 UK covering period 2007–2014 modeling TCP . It shows a clear rise in centrally managed APC payments 2012 onward, with projected increase further. well as evidencing growing availability acceptance publishing,...

Abstract The scientific literature peer review workflow is under strain because of the constant growth submission volume. One response to this make initial screening submissions less time intensive. Reducing and would save millions working hours potentially boost academic productivity. Many platforms have already started use automated tools, prevent plagiarism failure respect format requirements. Some tools even attempt flag quality a study or summarise its content, reduce reviewers’ load....

The management of research data is now a major challenge for organisations. Vast quantities born-digital are being produced in wide variety forms at rapid rate universities. This paper analyses the contribution academic libraries to (RDM) wider institutional context. In particular it: examines roles and relationships involved RDM, identifies main components an RDM programme, evaluates drivers activities, key factors influencing shape developments. study written from perspective library...

This paper reviews the worldwide growth of open‐access ( OA ) repositories, 2005 to 2012, using data collected by OpenDOAR project. Initial repository development was focused on N orth A merica, W estern E urope, and ustralasia, particularly U nited S tates, K ingdom, G ermany, ustralia, followed J apan. Since 2010, there has been in ast sia, outh astern especially T aiwan, B razil, P oland. During period, some countries, including F rance, I taly, pain, have maintained steady growth,...

Purpose Open-access mega-journals (OAMJs) represent an increasingly important part of the scholarly communication landscape. OAMJs, such as PLOS ONE , are large scale, broad scope journals that operate open access business model (normally based on article-processing charges), and which employ a novel form peer review, focussing scientific “soundness” eschewing judgement novelty or importance. The purpose this paper is to examine discourses relating their place within publishing, considers...

Purpose A major development in academic libraries the last decade has been recognition of need to support research data management (RDM). The purpose this paper is capture how library services (RDS) have developed and assess impact on nature libraries. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaire responses from Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, UK USA 2018 are compared a previous set 2014. Findings evidence supports picture spread RDS, especially advisory ones....

Peer review plays an essential role as one of the cornerstones scholarly publishing system. There are many initiatives that aim to improve way in which peer is organized, resulting a highly complex landscape innovation review. Different based on different views most urgent challenges faced by system, leading diversity perspectives how system can be improved. To provide more systematic understanding review, we suggest shaped four schools thought: The Quality & Reproducibility school,...

Purpose This study explores the evolving role of preprint servers within scholarly communication system, focusing on their relationship with peer-reviewed journals. As preprints become more common, questioning and understanding future is critical for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. By examining values, concerns goals server managers, this highlights significant influence these individuals have in shaping preprints. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative, interview-based approach was used...

In this paper we present the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of eleven open-access mega-journals (OAMJs). OAMJs are a relatively recent phenomenon, and have been characterised as having four key characteristics: large size; broad disciplinary scope; Gold-OA business model; peer-review policy that seeks to determine only scientific soundness research rather than evaluate novelty or significance work. Our investigation focuses on modes analysis: journal outputs (the number articles...

<ns3:p><ns3:bold>Background</ns3:bold>: Since 2013, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of preprint servers. Little is known about position researchers, funders, research performing organisations and other stakeholders with respect to this fast-paced landscape. In article, we explore perceived benefits challenges posting, alongside issues including infrastructure financial sustainability. We also discuss definition ‘preprint’ different communities, impact on...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview one the most important and controversial areas scholarly communication: Open Access publishing dissemination research outputs. It identifies discusses recent trends future challenges for various stakeholders in delivering (OA) literature. Design/methodology/approach study based on a number interrelated strands evidence which make up current discourse OA, comprising peer-reviewed literature, grey literature other forms...

This paper reports analysis of data from higher education institutions in the UK on their experience open‐access (OA) publishing market working within a policy environment favoring “Gold” OA (OA journals). It models “total cost publication”—comprising costs journal subscriptions, article‐processing charges (APCs), and new administrative costs—for sample 24 institutions. APCs are shown to constitute 12% publication,” APC administration, 1%, 87% (for seven publishers). expenditure rose between...

Abstract Journal field classifications in Scopus are used for citation-based indicators and by authors choosing appropriate journals to submit to. Whilst prior research has found that categories occasionally misleading, it is not known how this varies different journal types. In response, we assessed whether specialist, cross-field general academic sometimes have publication practices do match their classifications. For this, compared the narrow fields of with best fit articles’ titles...

Discusses the roles that subject librarians (or ‘subject specialists’) play in contemporary UK academic libraries. Argues librarians, who still form a significant grouping of senior staff most libraries, continue to have role delivery library services and applies both traditional electronic services. analyzes way which this is changing. Those areas where changing responsibilities are extensions into new pinpointed, together with examples performing adopting ways working. Areas can be...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to better understand the theory and practice peer review in open-access mega-journals (OAMJs). OAMJs typically operate a “soundness-only” policy aiming evaluate only rigour an article, not novelty or significance research its relevance particular community, with these elements being left for “the community decide” post-publication. Design/methodology/approach reports results interviews 31 senior publishers editors representing 16 different organisations,...

Purpose The study aims to provide an analytical overview of current innovations in peer review and their potential impacts on scholarly communication. Design/methodology/approach authors created a survey that was disseminated among publishers, academic journal editors other organizations the communication ecosystem, resulting data set 95 self-defined innovations. ordered material using taxonomy compares innovation projects according five dimensions. For example, what is object review? How...

The purpose of this paper is to explore the value librarians seeing research data management as a ‘wicked’ problem. Wicked problems are unique, complex which defined differently by different stakeholders making them particularly intractable. Data from 26 semi-structured in-depth telephone interviews with was analysed see how far their perceptions aligned 16 features wicked problem identified literature. To large extent perceived be wicked, though over time good practices may emerge help...

ABSTRACT This study investigates attitudes to ‘lay’ or ‘plain‐English’ summaries of open access (OA) journal articles in the context engaging public with medical research. It places lay wider contexts patients' information‐seeking behaviour and OA publishing activities. reports results qualitative research involving two stakeholder groups: employees organizations a stake communicating public, members who have experience accessing online shows that patient literature is seen as one number...

This paper focuses on the move by some academic libraries to replace subject-based organisational structures with new functional structures, introducing specialists instead of subject librarians. It reports 11 in-depth semi-structured interviews senior managers in UK discussing their attitudes this change. Key drivers for change included desire align library more closely institutional strategy and provide enhanced research support. However, there were also major concerns, particularly loss...

Serials: The Journal for the Serials Community has been digitised and can be accessed in full on this website. All content is freely available an open-access basis. was published between 1988 2011. In 2012, journal retitled now as Insights: UKSG journal.