Empowering Research: The Evolution & Progress of Ohio University Libraries' Research Services Department

In July of 2023, a significant reorganization at Ohio University Libraries led to the establishment of the Research Services department, marking a pivotal moment in the institution's commitment to supporting scholarly endeavors. The department is tasked to support research data management, including data management plans (DMPs), DMPTool, open data, finding and evaluating data, and data repositories. We also emphasize the use of ORCID as a way to identify and differentiate publications and scholarship. Additionally, we collaborate on teaching and conducting evidence synthesis projects, such as systematic reviews, and will provide tools to help measure research impact and manage scholarly profiles. Our efforts include implementing data literacy across campus by supporting data use and analysis in class assignments.

Since our department was formed, we have hired a Data Services Librarian (Jonathan Brier), initiated the University’s Research Data Management Working Group, offered several learning sessions available for request, hosted several events (Love Data week, Research Series with the Patton’s ASIK Stats Lab, and a Mapathon with OpenStreetMap), create an artificial intelligence guide with blog, and defined our department’s goals and way forward.

We aim to contribute meaningfully to the sustained success of the Ohio University research enterprise by being the trusted partner of pertinent services and information that OHIO researchers need now and in the future. And our 2024 goals and focus areas reflect that aim and align with the Libraries’ strategic plan and President Gonzalez's Dynamic Strategy Initiative (Discover and Learn pillars, specifically). By aligning our goals with these strategic plans, we are committed to becoming a vital resource for researchers at Ohio University.

1. Research Data Management (RDM): Ensure that research data across the university is managed effectively, ethically, and in compliance with funder requirements while supporting all OHIO researchers in this endeavor.
   • Goal update: Working on a collaborative Research Data Management website hub as a focused contribution for orientation to University research resources and support.
2. Research Impact and Open Access: Enhance the visibility and impact of research outputs through open access publishing and impact assessment strategies.
3. Connecting Information to People: Facilitate access to information resources and services by being an active collaborator and ensuring that researchers can easily discover and utilize the research resources and services they need to be successful.
   • Goal update: Creating on-demand data literacy modules in Canvas to connect students to data resources and enhance critical analysis of data.

Our department desires to be a dynamic force in the movement toward modern research practice and critical inquiry, providing essential and accessible support for all researchers. We empower researchers by collaborating within modern and developing areas of the scholarly life cycle, such as data management, open access scholarship, and impact assessment and promotion. We approach our services with practicality, responsiveness, and trust as cornerstones of our approach.

In addition to this progress, the Research Services department's roles have transformed to prioritize research and creative activity needs. Our data services librarian, position held by Jonathan Brier, focuses on quantitative and open data support. We will have a librarian whose functional work focuses on scholarly impact and the integration of ORCIDs. This role involves developing strategies for maximizing the impact of research outputs and ensuring that scholars are recognized for their contributions. An additional librarian will focus on student research and creative activity, supporting undergraduate and graduate students in their scholarly endeavors. This role involves providing guidance on research methods and promoting opportunities for students to showcase their work. Applications for these two roles are being accepted from July 12^th to August 4^th.

These role changes reflect our commitment to providing comprehensive support for all researchers at Ohio University. We are confident that their expertise will further enhance the services and resources available to our community, and we look forward to welcoming them aboard.

Email us at LibrariesResearchServices@ohiou.libanswers.com with any questions, ideas, or support.