Research Support Services: An Analysis of top Science and Technology Institutions

Authors

Vijay Kumar Verma, Indian Institute of Technology DelhiFollow
Charu ., Indian Institute of Technology DelhiFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Purpose – This research article aims to find out the different types of research support services provided by the top fifty libraries listed under science and technology institutions category in the QS ranking 2022. The analysis results will provide an in-depth view of the research support services offered by these institutions and will be helpful to libraries everywhere in designing their research support service.

Design/methodology/approach – The top 50 institutions listed in the 2022 QS World University Rankings in the category of science and technology were taken. Out of them, 44 libraries were selected on the basis of research support services provided by them. The available research support services were investigated using the website analysis of these institutions. The data so obtained are filtered, categorised, analysed and visualised to get results.

Findings – With regard to research and data-intensive research, research support service has emerged as one of the most important services offered by academic institutions in the sciences and technologies category. Research data management (39, 88.63%), research guides (40, 90.90%), research consultation (42, 95.45%), research tools recommendation (36, 81.81%), scholarly publishing/communication (39, 88.63%), open access (37, 84.09%) and training and workshop (36, 81.81%) are the most common types of research support services.

The leading three countries are the USA (29.54 per cent), the UK (11.36 per cent) and Australia (9.09 per cent). Most of the institutions under the QS top 50 ranking are from the USA.

Originality/value – This report conducts a thorough study of research support services offered by academic libraries at world-class science and technology institutions. The results will aid science and technology academic libraries in enhancing their research support services, which will, in turn, aid researchers in their efforts and advance scientific discovery. Also, the article will assist other institutions in planning their research support services.