Researchers represent the core of scholarly publishing, yet many of them feel inadequately prepared to assume the increasingly complex role created for them by the current publishing environment. As scholarly publishing evolves to extend to new models, funder mandates, open scholarship, and data management, researchers must assume responsibility for new functions and processes for which they have little preparation. Researchers play a key role in managing many aspects of the research life cycle, and many feel they are not adequately educated to do so.
A recent study showed that a lack of training around data management was the top concern for researchers in the UK and the US. Eight out of ten felt the top unmet needs related to data management. In addition, researchers felt research integrity training should be mandatory and that they were not likely to receive such training in their institutions.
The Vitae Researcher Development Framework has identified 4 domains of researcher core competencies:
- Knowledge and intellectual abilities
- Personal effectiveness
- Research governance and organisation
- Engagement, influence, and impact
These core competencies are an integral part of the research life cycle, forming the foundational basis for the stages of research, from conception to publication and beyond. They can be reinforced through specific targeted efforts to promote education in key areas of the research life cycle, such as:
- Journal selection
- Research Integrity
- Copyright and licensing issues
- The role of AI
- Data management
- Demystifying Open access
Integrating education in the publication process benefits all stakeholders and can help support not only researchers but also the scholarly publishing community. Education can facilitate the writing and submission process, promote submissions and higher quality manuscripts, and foster engagement with researchers. Overarching opportunities to enhance research integrity can arise throughout the research lifecycle. Publishers can play a key role in the education of researchers and thus exert a lasting positive impact on scholarly publishing.
The value proposition is clear—researcher education reinforces core capabilities, which in turn has a positive impact on all stages of the research lifecycle. It can bring long-lasting benefits to the research community:
- Increased submissions
- Increased engagement
- Higher quality manuscripts
- Member support for associations and societies
- Contribution to scholarly publishing
Who benefits from researcher education, in addition to researchers and the scholarly publishing community?
- Publishers are recognized as making a contribution
- Authors gain knowledge they can apply to their research output
- Librarians benefit from having support tools to aid researchers
- Societies and associations can provide member benefits that help with career-building and promoting research
Researcher education can be tailored to the territory, specialty, and the audience, and feedback can help guide future efforts. Regardless of the approach, incorporating education in the research life cycle has potential benefits to the wide and diverse scholarly publishing community.
Learn More
Maverick has developed a program of Researcher Engagement Webinars that are an easy and effective way for scholarly publishers to support researchers with the information they need to get published and cited in today’s increasingly complex publishing landscape. The webinars are developed and conducted by experienced, objective academic researchers who understand the challenges of researchers and speak their language.
By Rebecca Rinehart, Maverick CEO and Head of US Operations
Rebecca Rinehart is a publishing professional with over 40 years’ experience in all aspects of scientific, technical, and medical publishing in all formats, including books, journals, periodicals, and digital. She has served in senior publishing management roles in major medical societies and associations as well as corporate publishers.
Rebecca Rinehart will be giving a poster presentation, “Integration of education into the publishing cycle,” at the SSP Annual Meeting in Boston, on May 30. To learn more, contact her to set up a meeting (rebeccar@maverick-os.com). Her poster co-author, Gareth Dyke, PhD, will also be giving a video tour on Thursday, May 30, 1:30 – 2:00 PM ET. Consult the SSP conference program for complete details.
Further Reading
Researcher Engagement Webinars service sheet