Publishing as pedagogy: the Student Open Access Research (SOAR) project Simon Bains CHERIL Conference 2015
Some background…
Finch, RCUK, HEFCE Theo Andrew, University of Edinbirgh, via SlideShare http://www.slideshare.net/Earthowned/igmm-21-jan-2014
International context
‘The Inside Out Library’
Some background…
University of Liverpool Library and Press Andrew Barker and Anthony Cond, University of Liverpool and Liverpool University Press
Manchester University Press (MUP) Strategic Review “The skills of professional library staff combined with the tools that add value to digital content mean that libraries have the potential to play a leading role in advancing new models of scholarly communication. This trend, supported by recent UML strategy, suggests there needs to be appropriate collaboration between MUP and UML .”
University Strategy Manchester 2020 Goal 2: Outstanding learning and student experience We aim to: • Promote research-informed teaching by embedding research and associated skills in teaching • Provide a learning environment which allows students to develop and use core research skills • Enable students to have an impact beyond their academic study
SOAR Aims Respond to evidence of demand for student journals Consider journal services targeting taught students Explore the value of publishing as research training Explore the value of publishing in terms of employability Offer a tangible service in the context of learning through research
SOAR work packages • MMS student journal functionality Enhance and outputs • Student experience of MMS Evaluate journal • Potential for sharing academic Explore skills logs • Demand for student journals Research across the University • Business model and toolkit to Develop support sustainability and take-up
Methodology • Engagement with students and academics – seminars – interviews – testing • Draft toolkit to support training • Case studies for benchmarking • Usability study of publishing platforms
SOAR Workshop June 2015
SOAR Workshop June 2015 38 students, including: • 9 Postgraduate Taught • 3 Postgraduate Research • 3 Undergraduate • 8 Humanities • 6 Engineering and Physical Sciences
SOAR Workshop June 2015 Key learning points: • Students value access to those with experience of setting up student journals • Students perceive benefits in working with peers as part of a review process • Involvement may allow development of valuable skills for the future
Case Study 1: University of Edinburgh
Case Study 1: University of Edinburgh Issues identified: Library role must evolve Succession planning More formalisation required Competing student priorities Moving deadlines
Case Study 1: University of Edinburgh
Case Study 2: Purdue University The press in the library offers the opportunity for students to not only research a real-world topic but also publish about it That is a rich way to incentivize student engagement , combines high impact learning practices and offers a tangible outcome from the experience to use in graduate school and job interviews By working together to leverage publishing as pedagogy , presses and libraries may also help educate the next generation of scholars in more progressive attitudes to scholarly communication
Case Study 2: Purdue University
Case Study 2: Purdue University JPUR Objectives: Capture research authors young to make aware of and protective of their rights Promote an understanding of proper citation Inculcate awareness of plagiarism Inform awareness of agreements and contracts
Case Study 2: Purdue University Learning points: • Emphasise realism of the publishing experience • Broad remit caused concerns but valuable • Complementary publishing initiative • Timing is crucial
Usage data from Purdue Top 3 articles “Do wind turbines affect weather conditions?” “Is local “Solving the produce 2011 mystery of the safer?” Atacama Nitrate 2012 Deposits” 2012 1,700 downloads 3,092 downloads 5,466 downloads
Case Study 3: University of Huddersfield
Case Study 3: University of Huddersfield Learning points: • Student involvement limited to authorship • Handholding and simplification required • Difficult transition from dissertation to journal article • Poor discoverability
Case Study 4: UCL
Case Study 4: UCL
Case Study 4: UCL
Case Study 4: UCL Learning points: • Considerable input required • Set clear objectives • Be realistic about resource • Connect with wider university initiatives
Lessons learned from case studies • Time: timing, and time required • Academic commitment to inform scope and ensure succession planning • Significant support requirement • Demonstrate strategic relevance
Publishing platforms Usability testing Functionality and usability • Open Journal System (OJS) • Digital Commons
Publishing platforms Stephen Dew, UNCG Libraries via http://slideplayer.com/slide/6153967/
Publishing platforms Digital Commons • Rated by Purdue: • Templated system • User-friendly • Scalable • Strong statistics gathering facility • Rated by UoM students: • Better for reviewers • More intuitive • Easier to use • Concern about learning new system
Publishing platforms
Publishing platforms Key findings: • Digital Commons offers significant training and support • Customisation universal • Metrics – varied level and access • Commercial v. Open Source
The Manchester Medical School Journal Some background… • Changes to PEP • Medical School aims of professional development • Library seeking to partner on publishing • Alternative way to gain points • Student enthusiasm
The Manchester Medical School Journal PRISM (Peer Review Integrated Student Model)
The Manchester Medical School Journal Challenges • Time management • Securing funding • Obtaining top-level buy in • Applicability of submissions • Keeping journal going
Engagement with other students • Focus group – 8 students – Wide range of disciplines – 6 UG, 2 PGT • Interviews – 3 students from Learning through Research initiative – PGT Life Sciences – 3 rd year UG Linguistics – 3 rd year UG Geochemistry
Discoveries • Unanimous interest in writing articles, majority interested in reviewing and editing • Little interest in technical journal management • Concern about value vs publishing in an established journal • Recognition these were important skills for a research career • Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary approach to attract more students, encourage networking and broaden horizons • Time commitment – cautious, and depended on incentives e.g. academic career, employability, payment (!). • “ I’d like to have published something in this and then be able to take it to interviews, to wow employers .” [Purdue student journal]
Engagement with academics • Supportive of the concept, but concerned about: – Quality and ability to reach the standard – Training requirement – Time commitment • Why not target an established journal if good enough?
The toolkit
The (possible) website
The next phase: PuRLS • A student publishing course, comprising modular online and face to face training and including associated software • Journal publishing software on which to practice new skills • A pilot blog for publishing learning reflections and other material related to student learning. • An internship to provide two students with the opportunity to learn by doing, working with University Press and Library.
Conclusions and Recommendations • Scope and appetite • Multidisciplinary, with a focus on Social Sciences and Humanities • Mix of formats • Robust editorial and managerial governance Students should be encouraged to manage the publishing processes, with • expert support • Comprehensive training required • Existing publishing platform should be kept under review Academic support is crucial. Explore academic views on initiative •
Thank you. Simon Bains CHERIL Conference 2015
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