Research Information Systems
In a competitive world, it is extremely important to have an overview of all the research results that an institution has generated. External sources do not give a full overview, and the work relationships of authors of articles are often lacking. Moreover, research output involves more than merely articles in periodicals. World rankings of universities, accountability vis-à-vis subsidising bodies, results per research group, achievement of valorisation objectives, or the growth of research at universities of applied sciences can only be measured if they are registered.
Metis
In the Netherlands, use is already being made for this purpose of the Metis research information system, which was developed by UCI, the computing centre at Radboud University Nijmegen. Working in close collaboration with the institutions that use Metis – VSNU, NWO and KNAW – SURFshare is producing a programme of requirements for a new generation of Research Information Systems (Current Research Information System or CRIS), with as little overlap as possible with other systems and content.
Coordination
The information about research and research results in Metis overlaps with the storage of research results in an institution’s repository. Because the systems serve different purposes and are often managed by different departments within the institution, they are separate. However, the overlap in functionality means that it is difficult to consider them in isolation.
In order to avoid having to input research information into both Metis and the repository, it is important for the systems to be able to exchange information. Metadata on publications inputted to Metis is passed on to the institution’s repository. When inputting metadata into Metis, clicking on an “Upload” button transfers the publication to the repository, where it is given a Persistent Identifier, which is transferred back to Metis.
More information and contact
For more information, contact Marjan Vernooy-Gerritsen on +31 (0)30 234 6600.