JISC

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Repositories start-up project

Following an institutional needs analysis, this project will deliver a repository which will serve a prioritised set of needs of Leeds Metropolitan University. The project will build on experience from the sector in creating an open access collection of materials, based on open standards, which will increase the profile of the research outputs and/or pioneering assessment learning and teaching work carried out at Leeds Met, and also make a significant contribution to the experience of learners in the institution.

Aims and objectives

• raise the profile of open access publishing, and routes to open access materials, through presentations to key stakeholder groups and training events
• conduct an institutional needs analysis to establish the most appropriate (initial) focus for a Leeds Met institutional repository, and taking cognisance of the University’s partnerships with institutions both within the Regional University Network and beyond, to ensure that repository solution(s) identified will be portable and extensible to meet the needs of this broader consortium
• conduct a market analysis of the most appropriate software solutions and, based on the institutional analysis, usability testing, software and hardware needs and support issues, and stakeholder input, choose a software / hardware solution for the Leeds Met repository
• establish workflows for the ingest of content to the repository, including metadata standards
• commission a representative body of initial content, which will promote the use and benefits of the repository, and in its turn generate new content
• establish the Leeds Met repository as a standard element of the workflow of those generating research outputs and or learning / assessment objects, or any other content which is identified at the outset as being the primary initial focus of the Leeds Met repository

Project Methodology

The project will consist of a number of inter-related activities, leading to the choice and implementation of a chosen software solution.  Once the repository software is commissioned, the project will move to a phase where advocacy work will continue, with the emphasis on procuring content for the repository, and promoting its use and benefits both in-house and to the wider community.

Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes 

It is envisaged that this project will deliver the following:

• an institutional needs analysis of the need for an institutional repository
• a set of priorities for potential repository content
• implementation of an institutional repository based on the highest priority content needs
• valuable feedback to the sector in using a hosted repository solution, specification and publication of metadata, content, data, and submission standards, and exploratory work with FE and other partners