Research Pages

By: Podcast on supporting academic research
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  • Summary

  • An academic librarian and a computer scientist talk about supporting academic research from totally different perspectives. We lift the lid and chat about how it all works under the hood, demystifying some of the things that go on in the background to make the academic machine work, from tackling the world of information and managing the tidal wave of Big Data through to developments in scholarly communications to research assessment.
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Episodes
  • Ep 14 Microbe Talk: AI: a useful tool or a dangerous unstoppable force

    Ep 14 Microbe Talk: AI: a useful tool or a dangerous unstoppable force
    Sep 20 2023
    Niamh and Andrew are interviewed by Clare Baker from the Microbiology Society about their editorial on AI in Microbial Genomics research. Editorial on AI: https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.001049 Article for podcast: https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/microbe-talk-ai-a-useful-tool-or-dangerous-unstoppable-force.html
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    38 mins
  • Ep 13 Navigating the AI Frontier: Ethical Considerations and Best Practices in Academic Research.

    Ep 13 Navigating the AI Frontier: Ethical Considerations and Best Practices in Academic Research.
    Apr 22 2023
    This episode was generated by ChatGPT 4, with the script read out by virtual voices. It is not our own words, but is a bit of fun nonetheless. In this episode, hosts virtual Andrew and virtual Niamh discuss the ethical considerations, best practices, potential risks, and benefits associated with using AI-generated content in academic research. Topics covered: Role of AI in academic research AI as a supportive tool Insights, suggestions, and idea generation Ethical considerations Plagiarism and intellectual property rights Bias in AI-generated content Authorship and responsibility Maintaining human judgment Best practices Using AI as a supportive tool Verifying originality and proper citation Acknowledging AI assistance Mitigating bias Maintaining human judgment Risks and benefits Risks: plagiarism, introduction of biases, compromised research quality, misattribution of authorship Benefits: increased efficiency, access to a broader range of information, assistance in generating ideas and writing, promoting collaboration and interdisciplinary research Key Takeaways: AI can be a valuable tool for academic research but should not replace human judgment and critical thinking. Researchers should be aware of the ethical considerations and adopt best practices when using AI-generated content. Understanding the potential risks and benefits can help researchers make responsible decisions when using AI-assisted research publishing.
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    9 mins
  • Ep12 US open access developments

    Ep12 US open access developments
    Aug 27 2022
    It was announced that the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has updated US policy guidance to make the results of taxpayer-supported research immediately available to the American public at no cost. We discuss this development in open research. Further information is available in this blog post by Niamh: https://unlockingresearch-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk/?p=3208 In this episode, we discuss the recent open access developments in the United States, particularly the new policies initiated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The conversation delves into the potential impact of these policies on research, both in the US and internationally, including in the United Kingdom. It highlights the importance of open access in promoting knowledge sharing, facilitating research, and ensuring that taxpayer-funded research is accessible to all. We touch on the role of publishers in the research ecosystem, acknowledging that the value they add can vary widely depending on the discipline and the publisher's practices. We argue that some publishers may not provide significant value beyond copyediting and content curation. However, we recognize that learning societies and community-driven publishers can offer more valuable services in terms of connecting researchers with their peers and promoting a sense of shared community and passion. The conversation also covers the potential drawbacks and exceptions to open access. While we agree that open access is generally beneficial, we acknowledge that there are situations where it may not be appropriate to make certain data or research publicly available. For example, we mention cases involving sensitive data, such as indigenous data, commercial data, or personally identifiable medical information. The speakers emphasize the importance of striking a balance between openness and protecting sensitive information, recognizing that different disciplines may have unique considerations in this regard. The discussion also touches on the need for a cultural shift in research communities, moving away from the glamor of prestigious journals as a shorthand for quality. We point out that this change is already being promoted through initiatives like the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which encourages research assessment based on the content and impact of research rather than where it is published. We stress that it is crucial for researchers, institutions, and funding agencies to actively work together to change the research culture and promote open access. We express hope that the OSTP's announcement will be a catalyst for further progress in the open access movement. We suggest that by 2030, the entire globe could be marching in the direction of more open, accessible, and affordable publication practices. To achieve this goal, we argue that more community governance, institutional hosting, and different ways of thinking about the values and needs of researchers in scholarly communication platforms are needed. In summary, the episode covers the following key points: 1. The OSTP's new open access policies have the potential to significantly impact research in the US and internationally, promoting greater knowledge sharing and accessibility of taxpayer-funded research. 2. Publishers can offer varying degrees of value to the research ecosystem, with some providing more valuable services in terms of community building and curation. 3. There are exceptions and drawbacks to open access, particularly when it comes to protecting sensitive or commercial data. 4. A cultural shift is needed in research communities to move away from focusing on the prestige of journals and toward the content and impact of research. 5. The OSTP's announcement may serve as a catalyst for further progress in the open access movement, leading to more open, accessible, and affordable publication practices worldwide by 2030.
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    23 mins

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