ResearchSpace … your gateway to UKZN research

                                     

                                                                      By Jillian Viljoen

The digital age is here to stay. This all too familiar expression has led to the creation of digital repositories and information systems for managing and storing digital content which can be accessed remotely.

 Institutional repositories are now a staple and as such, the University of KwaZulu-Natal library maintains a growing digital collection of research in a repository called ResearchSpace. The ResearchSpace LibGuide  contains guidelines on the content available and how to access it.

 

ResearchSpace is accessible from the library’s page, https://library.ukzn.ac.za/.

 

So, what is ResearchSpace and how does it benefit you, the researcher?

ResearchSpace is the institutional repository of the University of KwaZulu-Natal which was developed to increase the visibility, availability and impact of its research output. It was also created to disseminate and manage digital materials created by researchers of the institution.

 

The above definition simply means that your research in terms of masters and doctoral theses and articles, etc. (copyright permitting) is stored in digital format on ResearchSpace and can be freely accessed by the UKZN community as well as external researchers the world over as this is an open access platform.

Open access refers to free, unrestricted online access to research content. This means that more researchers will be able to view your research, which increases your research visibility. This is positive for your research profile as it means more readers, more potential collaborators, more citations for your work and more recognition for you and UKZN.

 

So your research adds to the national and global research output value. Did you know that? You are a very valuable asset to the institution and the library ensures that you receive the recognition that you deserve for your efforts.

 If you received financial aid from sponsors for your research, they can view your completed research online.

 If you ever wondered what happens to your research once you have completed and submitted it, now you know. The library ensures that your research is stored permanently and is made freely accessible to the world. You and your research will never be forgotten.

Visit the ResearchSpace web site. You never know whose research you may find.