Opening Up Research

Publishing your research open access means making it free for anybody, anywhere in the world to access and read. It often also means giving others the freedom to reuse or adapt research while still ensuring that you are credited as the original author. That could, for example, allow somebody to create a translation of research into a different language so that it can be read by a wider audience. Open access can have advantages for both authors and readers. Authors can benefit from increased dissemination and citations of their work. Readers get free, equitable access to high-quality research (for more background on open access see https://openaccess.ox.ac.uk/start-here).

The reasons for choosing open access publication can vary. You might be committed to open science and sharing your research. Perhaps your funder requires you to publish research open access. Maybe you work with other scientists whose institution’s policy mandates open access publishing. Once you decide to publish open access, the path to actually doing so can be rocky!

Some journals will charge a publication fee called an Article Processing Charge. Depending on your funding status you may be able to claim this money from your funder. Alternatively, you could choose to deposit a version of your article with no charge into an institutional repository like the Oxford University Research Archive. The University of Oxford currently has a range of publisher deals which allow even unfunded researchers to publish open access papers in certain scientific journals with no charge. Deciding between all these different options can be confusing. To help researchers, we have the Open Access Oxford (OAO) website.

The OAO website has all the information you need, from the background to open access publishing and methods to deposit your research through to advice on how to pay open access costs. If your question isn’t covered on the site, you’ll find details for contacting the open access team for further help.

You can use the OAO site to keep up to date with new developments in open access such as changes in open access polices and the University’s approach to open access.

Finally, if you want to get a sound grasp on open access, it’s a great idea to attend one of our regular free training sessions. For beginners we would highly recommend our Fundamentals of Open Access session.

A row of open doors in different primary and secondary colours, each containing a narrow vertical glass panel.

New look training for Open Scholarship

In response to attendee feedback, the Bodleian libraries will soon offer an improved series of sessions covering open access. Sessions will be targeted to different levels of knowledge and interest in open access publishing. If you’re feeling a little confused about what ‘open access’ means, are stumped by how to go about getting your research published in an open access format, or if you want to discuss new developments in open scholarship, we have the right session for you!

Fundamentals of Open Access – This will cover the basic principles of open access, such as what it means and who it applies to. Recommended for new starters or those new to open access publishing. This session will run every other month.

Logistics of Open Scholarship – This will cover the practical ‘how to’ of open scholarship such as how to deposit your publications and data and how to apply for funding to cover open access publication costs. This session will run every other month.

Forum of Open Scholarship – This session is intended for advocates and administrators involved in open scholarship. These termly forums will discus forthcoming (and current) challenges and opportunities in open scholarship. It will be a space where people can ask questions and address ‘what’s happening’ for researchers and research support staff.

Each session will be recorded for the benefit of those who are unable to attend in person. All sessions will be advertised and can be booked through the iSkills Information Skills programme website – https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ask/workshops#/

iSkills for Undergraduate Science, Michaelmas term 2022

Free training sessions to help science students develop the information skills to succeed with research and writing – find out more and book sessions online
using the links below.

Explore Virtual Reality and 3D Printing
Monday 31 October 2022, 5-6pm
Social Sciences Library Information Skills Training Room
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ask/workshops#/course/MPLS0001 

Easier Referencing with RefWorks
Thursday 3 November 2022, 5-6pm
Social Sciences Library Information Skills Training Room
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ask/workshops#/course/MPLS0002

Successful Searching for your Assignments (MSD)
Thursday 10 November 2022, 5-6pm
Online via Microsoft Teams
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ask/workshops#/course/MPLS0003

Successful Searching for your Assignments (MPLS)
Tuesday 8 November 2022, 5-6pm
Online via Microsoft Teams
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ask/workshops#/course/MPLS0004
Thursday 1 November 2022, 5-6pm
Social Sciences Library Information Skills Training Room
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ask/workshops#/course/MPLS0005

Sources for Science: Learning the craft of evaluating information and referencing academic sources online
Monday 7 November 2022, 5-6pm
Online via Microsoft Teams
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ask/workshops#/course/ISKILL0071

Bodleian iSkills logo

Free research skills sessions for MPLS – Tuesday 19 July 2022

The RSL is pleased to announce the following program of free research skills sessions for postgraduate students and researchers in MPLS:

  • Research skills for Materials and Chemistry – Tuesday 19 July, 10–11am Joining link
  • Research Skills for Physics, Mathematics, and Statistics – Tuesday 19 July, 11.30am–12.30pm Joining link
  • Research Skills for Engineering & Computer Science – Tuesday 19 July, 3-4pm Joining link

These sessions will be an opportunity to improve and extend your scientific literature research skills and to know more about support with Open Access and RDM at Oxford.

Objectives

  • Be aware of specialist library collections for your subject
  • Be able to find a wider range of material using subject-focused database and catalogues
  • Develop effective searching skills and strategies to help in-depth literature research
  • Have a brief overview on available support with Open Access and Research Data Management

To book your place, please email alessandra.vetrugno@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Bodleian iSkills programme for Trinity term

Bodleian iSkills logo

The Bodleian iSkills workshops are moving online for Trinity Term and will be a combination of webinars and recorded video. All these workshops are free. Full details can be found at https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/workshops/workshopsbydate.

Sessions offered:

Open Access Oxford: what’s happening?
https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/workshops/OAO
An briefing on open access publishing and Oxford’s position including guidance on how to comply with the Open Access requirements for the REF and mandates from key funding bodies whilst respecting your publisher’s rights and policies. Online presentation and demonstration using Microsoft Teams.

Dates offered:

  • Wednesday 13 May, 2-3pm
  • Wednesday 27 May, 2-3pm
  • Wednesday 17 June, 2-3pm

Bodleian iSkills: Using Oxford Libraries remotely
https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/workshops/getting-started
An introduction to using Oxford Libraries remotely, including the latest information on the services available and how to access them; finding and using online resources that can be read from home; and what to do if you can’t find the material you need. This workshop will help you settle with confidence into searching for remotely accessible literature at Oxford. Online presentation and demonstration using Microsoft Teams.

Dates offered:

  • Tuesday 12 May, 2-3.30pm
  • Tuesday 19 May, 2-3.30pm
  • Tuesday 2 June, 10-11.30am
  • Thursday 11 June, 2-3.30pm

Bodleian iSkills: Managing research data and Data Management Planning (DMPs)
https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/workshops/managing-research-data
Good research data management is a vital component of academic practice. Part of this is the principle that the data used to develop the arguments and outcomes of your research should be effectively stored and managed during a project, preserved for the future and – where possible – shared with other academics. This session introduces the University’s research data policy and outlines the practical impact this will have on your work. The services available at Oxford to assist you will be outlined. This session is not only essential during your current studies but will be invaluable if you plan to continue in research as a career.

Dates offered:

  • Thursday 4 June, 2.30-4.30pm

Bodleian iSkills: Working with sensitive research data in the Sciences and Medical Sciences
https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/workshops/sensitive-data-Sci-MedSci
A workshop outlining some of the key principles to bear in mind when working with sensitive or restricted research, whether collected yourself or obtained from a third party source such as an NHS trust or Biobank data. Issues of confidentiality, informed consent, cybersecurity and data management will be covered. Examples of scenarios or concerns drawn from the research of participants are particularly welcome. The role of support services at Oxford will also be outlined and in particular the role of the Bodleian Data Librarian who will lead the session. Follow up consultations with the Data librarian or other subject consultants are also offered.

Dates offered:

  • Wednesday 10 June, 10.30am-12.30pm

The following videos are also available:

  • Keeping up to date with research – adapted from the iSkills workshop ‘Getting information to come to you’, this series of videos guides you through setting up alerts so that you automatically receive notification of new research in your area. The videos cover setting up alerts in SOLO, Web of Science, JournalTOCs and Zetoc, Nexis UK, JiscMail and others.
    https://ox.libguides.com/workshops/keepinguptodate
  • What is reference management software? – this is the introductory presentation from the iSkills workshop: ‘Referencing: choosing and using software’.  Bodleian iSkills will not be running any live workshops this term on reference management, but the video link will also take you to our homepage for ‘Managing your references’, with further links to information and guidance in using a variety of reference management software packages.
    https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/reference-management/intro
  • Scholarly literature for your research – a series of videos adapted from the iSkills workshop Finding Stuff: Scholarly Literature for your Research.  The videos cover how to use SOLO (the University’s resource discovery tool), search techniques including special characters, such as *, ?, AND, OR, NOT, creating an effective search query to submit to catalogues and databases so that you find results relevant to your research, and why using theses and conferences in your research are beneficial and how find them. https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/workshops/scholarlyliterature

Welcome!

A warm welcome from the Radcliffe Science Library to all new and returning students. The RSL is Oxford’s main library for science subjects and pre-clinical medicine, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Please don’t hesitate to ask library staff for help. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

Welcome to all new arrivals!

A warm welcome from the Radcliffe Science Library to all new students. The RSL is Oxford’s main library for science subjects and pre-clinical medicine. Please don’t hesitate to ask library staff for help. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

Training for Hilary

Details of the RSL’s Research Information Training programme for 2015 are now online at http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/science/training/research-information-training. These are short courses taught by Subject Librarians, and are geared towards the skills and tools needed by researchers in the sciences. Sessions are available covering how to find resources, reference management, research impact and Open Access.

Bodleian iSkills logo

Upcoming Bodleian iSkills sessions in Hilary cover e-books, reference management, research skills, Open Access, copyright, the Oxford Research Archive and citation.  Bodleian iSkills is a series of workshops open to all members of the University. Many sessions are oversubscribed so early booking is advised. Details are online at http://ox.libguides.com/content.php?pid=289070&sid=2376530.

Welcome!

A warm welcome from the Radcliffe Science Library to all new students. Please don’t hesitate to ask library staff for help. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

Training for Trinity

As a new term starts the Bodleian Libraries will again be running their popular series of WISER sessions. These cover everything from searching the library catalogue to managing your references and mapping with geospatial data. The first session this term may be particularly useful for those preparing to conduct literature reviews and write dissertations –

WISER: Finding stuff – Scholarly literature for your Research (Fri 2 May 9.15 – 12.15) (wk 1)
A practical introduction to searching for scholarly materials to support your research, covering a range of tools for finding monographs, journal articles, conference papers, theses and more.
Who is this session for? Postgraduates, researchers and academics

To find out about other WISER courses and to book yourself a place online, visit the WISER LibGuide – http://ox.libguides.com/workshops

Also remember that if you’re unable to attend a training session but still need help with library services or resources, you can always contact your Subject Librarian at the RSL for assistance – http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/science/contact/radcliffe-science-library-staff