Project StORe Dagmar Biegon, StORe Project Researcher

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Project StORe Dagmar Biegon, StORe Project
Researcher
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• 1. Introduction to StORe Project
• Source-to-Output Repositories
• 2. Key results from the survey
• Biosciences researchers at the University of
  Manchester

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• Repository
• Central place where information is stored and
  maintained
• Example on-line database, journal web site
• Source Repository
• Contains primary research information
• Examples statistical data, graphs, computer
  programs, gene sequences
• Output Repository
• Contains research publications
• Examples scientific articles, PhD theses,
  research reports, working papers

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StORe Project (JISC-funded)

• Project aims
• Investigating how researchers use both source
  and output repositories conducting a survey
• Based on the results, developing a special
  middleware to improve the connection between
  both types of repositories

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John Rylands University Library

• Several existing, local databases in biology,
  bioinformatics and medicine.
• Information about users of interest for the
• development of an institutional repository.
• Major university library, supporting research
• and development in higher education.
• One of seven StORe partner universities,
  conducting the survey for the biosciences.
• Other disciplines were archaeology, astronomy,
  chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and social
  policy.

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Survey example questions

• On-line questionnaire
• How advantageous would you find improved links
  from source to output repositories?
• What types of metadata do you assign to your
  data?
• To which source repositories do you submit your
  data?
• Individual interviews
• What is your experience with accessing output
  repositories? Are there any repositories that you
  find difficult to use and what are the problems?

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Q How advantageous would you find improved links
from source to output repositories?About 80 of
all biosciences researchers support StORe project
aims.Perceived advantage of improved repository
links

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Q What kind of restrictions do you apply to your
research data?65 restrict access to their
research data.Measures of formal restriction of
access to research data

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Q Do you receive any support in your use of
output repositories?45 receive no support when
using output repositories self-sufficiency
preferred?

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Other key results from the survey

• 60 of the biosciences researchers stated that
  they find simple search mode sufficient. About a
  quarter use advanced search mode and only a few
  use Boolean terms.
• In interviews and questionnaire, many
  researchers stated that they have some problems
  with finding the right keywords,
  terminologylack of familiarity with search
  strategies?
• PubMed was the repository of choice for
  accessing research information, closely followed
  by Google.

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Conclusions

• Most biosciences researchers would want improved
  repository functionality, such as better links
  between source and output repositories.
• However, about two thirds would not want to
  give unrestricted access to their research data.
• Most seem to prefer self-sufficient information
  searching simple keywords, PubMed or
  Google-type search engines
• About half do not seem to ask for support from
  library staff or repository administrators.

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Conclusions

• Similar findings across all seven academic
  disciplines, pointing towards a general trend.
• Results should be taken into consideration when
  setting up an institutional repository.

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More detailed information

• http//jiscstore.jot.com/SurveyPhase
• http//www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/programm
  e_digital_
• repositories/project_store.aspx
• http//www.library.manchester.ac.uk/projects/store
  /
• Many thanks to
• Lorraine Beard, Faculty Librarian Life Sciences