Research Libraries UK, The National Archives and Jisc are delighted to be working together to commission a significant piece of research into the use and presentation of unique and distinctive collections in academic publications as recorded through citations.
Unique and distinctive collections (UDCs) is a term used to encompass the very varied collections held by archives, special collections, libraries and museums throughout the UK and further afield. UDCs are held throughout the archive, library and wider heritage sectors, whether in county record offices and publically funded archives, university archives and special collections, businesses, and national libraries and archives. They are also held within museums and a broader range of heritage and cultural organisations.
Citation Capture aims to furnish the archivist, special collections librarian, and information professional with a better understanding of how academics cite UDC repositories, the nature and volume of the published outputs produced based on UDC research, and how (and what) UDC material is referenced within these. The continued development of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) places a premium on original and high-visibility research by academics, whereas there is a need for more robust measurements of user engagement and output from within the archives, library, and information sectors.
This first phase of Citation Capture will establish current academic practice in the citation of UDC repositories and the possibilities of introducing greater standardisation in citation practice. As leaders in their respective fields, Research Libraries UK, The National Archives, and Jisc are well positioned to undertake this work.
And through this work we hope to create a better understanding of how academics use UDC collections, bringing a number of potential advantages, including:
Collection development: To help inform archivists, librarians, and information managers regarding the use of particular collections by academics and which are the most cited collections. Such information could help inform strategic decision making regarding collecting habits or cataloguing prioritisation.
Audience intelligence and development: To inform archivists, librarians, and information managers regarding the use of collections by academics, both currently and retrospectively, which can help to plan future events or projects.
Advocacy and impact: Provide valuable metrics regarding the use and visibility of UDC collections in national and international publications.
Objectives
The project will seek to test the viability of establishing a national UDC referencing system. The project will achieve this through quantitative and qualitative research methodologies:
- A detailed picture of current practices around citation style in the wider archive sector;
- Investigation into the possibilities of creating a nationally consistent system of referencing archival repositories and a plan for doing the same.
The contractors will work with Research Libraries UK, The National Archives, and Jisc to select participating repositories.
Deliverables
- A research piece on current citation style guidance amongst UDC repositories;
- Model citation style guidance which could be rolled out nationally;
- A robust description of the challenge and potential benefit of establishing a national referencing system;
- Research into the implementation of a nationally consistent system of referencing repositories to include examples and a review of any relevant current practices;
- Development of a plan for the establishment of a nationally consistent system of referencing UDC repositories including suggested partners.
For full details on submitting to this Invitation to Tender please read the full ITT document below. The deadline for proposals is 17:00 on Monday 15 January 2018.
Download the full Citation Capture ITT document
