Supporting research in a 'layered information universe'

Supporting research in a 'layered information universe' Drew Whitworth, University of Manchester Introduction: the role of research LEARNING is how we come to understand the universe around us... 'Research' is a formal expression of this process There are many stakeholders, with different interests in research The process of research? Spiranec & Zorica (at 'Creating Knowledge VI') said the 'information universe' was characterised by 'complex layering' Rules-driven Subtle constraints... paradigms, funding priorities, etc (Critical view) Social media Pre-publication e.g. Twitter, blogging Better or worse? Does it matter? Accountability: "The days of scientists communicating only with each other, in thelanguages of our individual disciplines, and relying on science journalists totranslate for the public, are rapidly coming to an end.” (in "Nature", cited by Minocha & Petre) Social media strategy, publication, retrieval 'Digital professionalism', etiquette Data storage, security (cloud), IPR 'Cognitive surplus' (Clay Shirky) DISADVANTAGES: Online environment becoming freer in some ways: serendipity possible Researchers introduce each other to new techs, sources Provides similar benefits as in 'everyday life', e.g. affirmation, sense of confidence, people being interested Have supervisors/institutions disapproved of use of certain techs? Even early ICT made an obvious difference: 1970s 'public' internet used frequently by academics VITAE report on social media use: * conservative researchers * cautionary users * adaptive user * user of tools, but without sociality * dichotomous user * expert user Increasing supervision at a distance? Globally disperse researchers: how can we support them? Institutions using these new media for marketing and publicity Social media a research field in its own right, source of primary data etc - hence, need to consider ethics Researcher development - see RDF 1) knowledge & intellectual ability 2) personal effectiveness 3) research governance 4) engagement and impact S & Z say: "Innovative configurations of scientific discourses have become visible, resulting in the breakdown of traditional assumptions about scientific expertise and the conversion of rigid scientific processes to more open-ended processes of communication. Scientific information and knowledge are socially produced and distributed and scientific activities can no longer be conceived of as a schematic, linear or rules-driven process. " New technologies... Advantages and disadvantages Issues arising through social media Developing new competencies and services? Fairweather at ALT-C: RDF 'too broad... to map resources in a meaningful way' 'Echo chamber' (Weller 2011) 'Paralysis by Analysis' (Shenk) Adds to fragmentation? Polarisation? Vitae say, CPD required in: Understanding RESEARCH CONTEXTS is essential Knowledge 'brokering' requires links to be made between different contexts What are local strengths? Regional networks? National resources? (e.g. Datasets) These kinds of skills are still required... But so are these Conclusion Remember: there are competing perceptions Different groups compete to define the dialogue of research, control inputs and outputs Vitae research suggests changed practices are driven by the researchers themselves Whatever structures of support exist - they must be flexible, able to be adapted where positive effects can be discerned