Conclusion

This unit has outlined scholarly communication in its most literal form - the publication and sharing of research outputs. When talking to researchers about this area it is important to remember that we are talking about a range of outputs not just formal, peer reviewed publications. Not all researchers or all projects will suit this format and with the increased emphasis on making an impact outside academia it is important to reach out to a wider audience. Persuading researchers of the need to promote themselves and their work can also sometimes be a challenge when they are more interested on moving onto the next project but the benefits are worth it. Librarians are often skilled at promoting themselves online and the research community can benefit from this knowledge. You can go back through any of the unit to review material that you didn’t understand or to explore the links to further information. As we move forward through the resource keep in mind the different elements of the publication process and the influence this can have on the research process.