our work

RIS website

Research Information System

Client - University of Wollongong

Partners - Research and Innovation Division (RaID); Information Technology Services (ITS)

2004 - continuing

The Research Information System (RIS) is a centralised, web-based system for collecting, maintaining, accessing and reporting on information related to research, including research publications and researcher profiles.

Features

From a researcher / research group perspective:

  • Add, maintain and access individual and/or group research publications
  • A public research profile page with control over what publications to display
  • CV / Report Helper that generates a document containing a user customised, filtered listing of publications, suitable for grant applications, CVs or documentation for promotions
  • Manage membership in research groups
  • Customised research profiles based on which research group the profile is viewed from

From a research staff / faculty perspective:

  • Gathers research data at source (for DEST verification purposes and workloads, for some faculties)
  • Integrates stand-alone and faculty research databases into a single database
  • Workflow based verification of publications
  • Generation of reports for research groups or individuals

Screenshots

Mocked up screenshot: 'My Publications' page

The 'My Publications' page, where researchers can review and maintain their publications. (Note: This is a new layout, currently in development.)

Screenshot: Researcher's public profile page

Part of a researcher's public profile page.

Screenshot: Publicly listing of publications

Part of a publicly viewable, filterable listing of publications.

History

RIS began life as the Faculty Management System for the Faculty of Education at the University of Wollongong. The existing systems that were in place for maintaining and reporting research publications information were cumbersome and time-consuming for all involved.

In consultation with the Faculty of Education, members of the emlab team built a system to handle the Faculty's research information needs.

The unique combination of features and ease of use quickly brought it to the attention of other sections of the University. Through a process of refinement and University-wide consultation it has evolved into its current form. It continues to be refined and extended based on the needs of the University and its research community.