Whether you are just starting out on your research journey or working in a full-time research role we have resources to help. Below you will find information on every stage of the research lifecycle from planning through to publication. If you have any questions or would like some one-to-one help with your research you can reach out to our dedicated Research Support Team.
The University of Cambridge supports open research practices. Open research aims to make the knowledge gained from academic research openly available as soon as possible. This includes activities such as open access publishing and sharing the data which underpins publications but it also goes deeper. This approach advocates openness at all levels so that all results of publicly funded research are available for scrutiny, challenge and learning. It allows anyone who is interested to access research, including practitioners such as doctors and teachers who might not otherwise be able to read the latest material. Open research also opens up many of the 'hidden' outputs of research which might be of use to others in their own work. You can find out more about open research on the University's dedicated webpages.
If you would like more in-depth research support help you can check out the Physical Science Guide Research Support Hub
Getting into good data management habits early in your research can save you a great deal of time and stress. It can help your project smoothly and ensure that you have access to the information you need when you need it. Many funders expect to see evidence that you have thought about how you will manage the data you use and produce during your project in the form of a data management plan. Research data management doesn't need to be complicated if you follow a few simple steps using our resources as a guide.
Remember - each funder will have their own guidance on what they expect to see so always refer to this when putting together your data management plan
The open research landscape offers more opportunities to publish and share your work than ever before. As well as the final output such as a journal article or book chapter, researchers should consider which other aspects of their work may be useful and how this could be shared. This includes data underpinning a final publication, online sharing such as blog posts or in-house technical reports. Whichever outputs you choose to share you need to think carefully about choosing the best publisher for this material to avoid problems.
Copyright is an automatic right that comes into force once a work has been produced in a fixed form, for example by being written down. It exists to both protect and promote research outputs. It ensures creators get recognition for their work and sets out rules whereby others can build upon this work. In a world of open research it's important to understand the rights you have over your own work and how you can use existing materials in your own research. Building on the work of others is a vital part of academic practice but it is important the this work is credited fairly to avoid any issues.
Although it can be tempting to draw a line under a project when the final output(s) are released, this is no longer the end of the process. Researchers can't rely on people seeking out their work and need to actively promote it to potential readers. It can be difficult to know where to start and where to focus your energy but your Research Support Team are here to help with everything from social media to presentation skills.
A range of online and in-person training is offered throughout the year on various aspects of the research process. To see the latest schedule please visit the Training pages on the Physical Sciences guide.
If you need bespoke help or support with any aspect of the research process please get in contact with your Physical Sciences Research Support Librarians. Based at the Moore Library and other locations, our staff have many years of experience in providing support in all aspects of using the library, finding the sources you need, planning for and sharing your research in an open environment. We are happy to answer any questions or provide support as needed.
You can reach us via email and one-to-one appointments are available in person or online via Teams/Zoom.
Open access is the process of making scholarly outputs freely available online without barriers to access such as paywalls. Many organisations which fund research have recognised the value of open research processes and mandate that publications resulting from work they support are made openly available. This is a fast moving landscape which can often represent a challenge for the researcher but your Research Support Team is here to help with advice on making your outputs available in line with funder expectations.
Making an impact with your research is an important part of academic life. It's important to think widely about all the potential impacts a piece of work might have, both within academia and outside. When measuring impact it's common to do so using numerical tools but numbers only tell part of the wider story. The growth of open research practices has caused us to think beyond numerical assessments such as publication metrics and look at the effects that research is having on both the discipline and wider society. Your Research Support Team are happy to discuss how you can assess and report the impact of your work using both traditional metrics and other measures to create a more well-rounded impression of your influence.