JISC – Projects, programmes and services
JISC – Projects, programmes and services
– JISC – Data Services & Collections
Data services collect, preserve and promote electronic resources that arise from research and teaching in specific specialist areas, for the access (normally free) and benefit of researchers, learners and teachers. A core and very visible part of their work is the preservation of online collections, ranging from historical databases, geospatial data to geological collections. JISC funds several data centres (organisations which carry out these and related services) which complement JISC’s innovative work for the support of researchers and learners.
– JISC – Digital Repositories
A digital repository is a managed, persistent way of making research, learning and teaching content with continuing value discoverable and accessible. Repositories can be subject or institutional in their focus. Putting content into an institutional repository enables staff and institutions to manage and preserve it, and therefore derive maximum value from it. A repository can support research, learning, and administrative processes. They are commonly used for open access research outputs. JISC’s work in funding development and advisory support in this area is both well established and high-profile. For some years, JISC has stipulated that all project deliverables arising from its funding should be openly accessible in a repository where appropriate.
– JISC – Digital Preservation & Curation
Digital preservation is the set of processes and activities that ensures long-term, sustained storage of, access to and interpretation of digital information. Curation is an applied form of preservation that focuses on interpretation and is often (though not exclusively) used in relation to working with scientific datasets. The ultimate objective of all digital preservation activity, and the focus of JISC’s work, is to keep valuable and useful digital material (increasingly online) available for future generations of scholars, researchers and other user groups.
– JISC – Data & Text Mining
Modern research is generating more and more data, for example, from scientific instruments, computer simulations, sensor networks, surveys and scholarly publishing. Data and text mining apply advanced computer analysis to uncover patterns and trends within these data, which researchers can then interpret to form new insights. JISC programmes help to develop and investigate the application of data and text mining techniques with the aim of advising and supporting researchers how best to turn the vast volume of data into useful research outputs.
– JISC – Managing Research Data (JISCMRD)
The scientific process is enhanced by managing and sharing research data. Good research data management practice allows reliable verification of results and permits new and innovative research built on existing information. This is important if the full value of public investment in research is to be realised. These principles have been recognised by key stakeholders: most Research Councils now have policies in place which encourage or mandate the creation of a research data management plan and the deposit of research data in a recognised data centre where such exist. Many leading journals require underlying datasets also to be published or made accessible as part of the essential evidence base of a scholarly article.
