Who we are

eResearch Knowledge Centre

Who we are

The eResearch Knowledge Centre (eRKC) is a research enabler, providing innovative knowledge services and access to resources, as well as meeting the needs of the HSRC’s research community and its stakeholders. The unit enhances the HSRC’s research capability through information services, geospatial analytics and digital curation. 

This is done within an eResearch context that is characterised by rapid global technological change and innovation in the research environment taking cognisance of the opportunities and challenges related to Open Science, data intensive research, access to vast quantities of digital information resources and tools, as well as the importance of demonstrating increased research impact.

  • We facilitate electronic access to the HSRC Library print collection and a comprehensive collection of subscribed and Open Access resources. In an era of easy access to potentially fake information, the centre provides literature research support and facilitates the retrieval and supply of relevant, trusted information resources.
  • By using geospatial tools and analysis, the eRKC provides insight and spatial understanding of socio-economic challenges. The centre enables HSRC researchers and enhances the HSRC’s research output through sample design advice, spatial analysis and mapping services.
  • Through its digital curation services, the centre manages and shares the HSRC’s research data and output collections with the HSRC and the broader research community.

Empowering clients

We empower our clients to gather reliable, accurate and relevant information, data and facts:

  • We support literature and information retrieval.
  • We train staff to use the wide range of information resources available.
  • We source specific documents as and when needed.
  • We source information resources through Interlibrary Loans, from other libraries nationally and internationally.
  • We keep researchers abreast of developments in their research areas.
  • We update our collection of resources to represent the various research focus areas of the HSRC.
  • We support responsible authorship through similarity scanning services.

 

Clients contact us when they:                                                                                                 

  • need assistance sourcing literature or information,
  • need training on the use of information resources,
  • need a similarity report,
  • need assistance with persistent digital identification,
  • need assistance with fieldwork survey maps, master samples, spatial conceptualisation and data visualisation,
  • need assistance with compiling data management plans,
  • need assistance to know where to publish and understanding the LeaPPT+S targets, and
  • need training on submitting research outputs, data sets or data management.

 

For more information on eRKC services and products, please visit our eResearch Knowledge Hub

 

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