GuardianWitness
What one piece of science do you wish everyone knew? Make a short film about your favourite bit of scientific knowledge and you could win the GuardianWitness Science award – and an iPad Air
To enter, simply contribute to an assignment on GuardianWitness on or before 20 January 2014 and if you are shortlisted for an award we will contact you in February.
CiarĂ¡n Quinn, Research Support Librarian & Librarian for the Research Institutes, Maynooth University. ciaran.quinn@mu.ie
Thursday 19 December 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
The Status of EU protected Habitats and Species in Ireland Reports
Article 17 2013 Assessment documents - National Parks & Wildlife Service
Every six years, Member States of the European Union are required to report on the conservation status of all habitats and species listed on the annexes of the Habitats Directive as required under Article 17 of the Directive. Following a period of public consultation Ireland submitted these status assessments to the European Commission in June 2013.
The report will be published in 3 volumes. An overview report (Volume 1), which will provide more detail on the methodologies, a summary of the results and a list of contributors to the assessments, will be published later in 2013 or early in 2014. Volume 2 (Habitats) and Volume 3 (Species) contain the detailed reports and relevant scientific information and can be accessed here.
Habitats included range from Sand Dunes to Floating River vegetation and Bogs. Species covered include the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, Whorl Snails, Sperm Whales and the Pine Martin amongst (unfortunately !) many others.
Every six years, Member States of the European Union are required to report on the conservation status of all habitats and species listed on the annexes of the Habitats Directive as required under Article 17 of the Directive. Following a period of public consultation Ireland submitted these status assessments to the European Commission in June 2013.
The report will be published in 3 volumes. An overview report (Volume 1), which will provide more detail on the methodologies, a summary of the results and a list of contributors to the assessments, will be published later in 2013 or early in 2014. Volume 2 (Habitats) and Volume 3 (Species) contain the detailed reports and relevant scientific information and can be accessed here.
Habitats included range from Sand Dunes to Floating River vegetation and Bogs. Species covered include the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, Whorl Snails, Sperm Whales and the Pine Martin amongst (unfortunately !) many others.
Gender disparities in science and Bibliometrics
Bibliometrics: Global gender disparities in science
The research finds that in the most productive countries, all articles with women in dominant author positions receive fewer citations than those with men in the same positions. And this citation disadvantage is accentuated by the fact that women's publication portfolios are more domestic than their male colleagues — they profit less from the extra citations that international collaborations accrue. Given that citations now play a central part in the evaluation of researchers, this situation can only worsen gender disparities.
The research finds that in the most productive countries, all articles with women in dominant author positions receive fewer citations than those with men in the same positions. And this citation disadvantage is accentuated by the fact that women's publication portfolios are more domestic than their male colleagues — they profit less from the extra citations that international collaborations accrue. Given that citations now play a central part in the evaluation of researchers, this situation can only worsen gender disparities.
Thursday 12 December 2013
Launch of the INSIGHT Centre for Data Analytics
The INSIGHT Centre for Data Analytics | Creating a Data-Driven Society
INSIGHT was established in 2013 by Science Foundation Ireland with funding of €75m. The INSIGHT Centre for Data Analytics is a joint initiative between researchers at UCD, NUI Galway, UCC, DCU, and other partner institutions. It will bring together a critical mass of more than 200 researchers from Ireland's leading ICT centres to develop a new generation of data analytics technologies in a number of key application areas.
INSIGHT was established in 2013 by Science Foundation Ireland with funding of €75m. The INSIGHT Centre for Data Analytics is a joint initiative between researchers at UCD, NUI Galway, UCC, DCU, and other partner institutions. It will bring together a critical mass of more than 200 researchers from Ireland's leading ICT centres to develop a new generation of data analytics technologies in a number of key application areas.
'Altmetrics' and how to measure the impact of research
Rise of 'Altmetrics' Revives Questions About How to Measure Impact of Research
Steven Roberts, an assistant professor at the U. of Washington who studies how environmental change affects shellfish, tracks social-media metrics to see how his research is used online.
Steven Roberts, an assistant professor at the U. of Washington who studies how environmental change affects shellfish, tracks social-media metrics to see how his research is used online.
Global Research Reports
Global Research Reports | ScienceWatch | Thomson Reuters
Science Watch tracks on a weekly basis hot or emerging papers and research fronts in this free Web resource for science metrics and analysis. Includes interviews, first-person essays, podcasts, and profiles from scientists, journals, institutions, and nations, selected using Essential Science IndicatorsSM from Thomson Reuters (who also produce the Web of Science and Journal Citation Reports).
Science Watch tracks on a weekly basis hot or emerging papers and research fronts in this free Web resource for science metrics and analysis. Includes interviews, first-person essays, podcasts, and profiles from scientists, journals, institutions, and nations, selected using Essential Science IndicatorsSM from Thomson Reuters (who also produce the Web of Science and Journal Citation Reports).
Wednesday 11 December 2013
Dublin Talks: 6 speakers, 6 minutes, 6 BIG ideas!
Innovation Dublin
Dublin Talks is a new series of inspiring talks by and about Irish people with big and interesting ideas.
Speakers have just six minutes to tell the audience their big idea - there’s something to suit everybody’s interests! Check out the link above for previous Dublin talks. Click each video once to play as a thumbnail, or doubleclick to view fullscreen.
Dublin Talks is organised by Dublin City Council, the Royal Irish Academy and Science Foundation Ireland, as part of Innovation Dublin.
Dublin Talks is a new series of inspiring talks by and about Irish people with big and interesting ideas.
Speakers have just six minutes to tell the audience their big idea - there’s something to suit everybody’s interests! Check out the link above for previous Dublin talks. Click each video once to play as a thumbnail, or doubleclick to view fullscreen.
Dublin Talks is organised by Dublin City Council, the Royal Irish Academy and Science Foundation Ireland, as part of Innovation Dublin.
Monday 9 December 2013
Irish scientists team up to work with China
NUI Maynooth > Communications Office > Press Release > Research
A high level delegation of Irish scientists are currently in Beijing to develop cutting edge research partnerships. The delegation has been invited by leading Chinese Universities and follows a highly successful “Connect to China” event held in Carton House in Ireland which established links between Irish research and industry to access the Chinese market.
A high level delegation of Irish scientists are currently in Beijing to develop cutting edge research partnerships. The delegation has been invited by leading Chinese Universities and follows a highly successful “Connect to China” event held in Carton House in Ireland which established links between Irish research and industry to access the Chinese market.
A showcase event will be hosted by Peking University from 6-7 December 2013, allowing Irish and Chinese research leaders to explore how to work together for high impact science. Although the Irish team will be led by NUI Maynooth, it represents a highly integrated partnership with scientists from DCU, RCSI, TCD and DIT, all focused on the Scientific breakthroughs needed to develop new Biomedical technologies. This delegation is also part of a larger research effort that has been made possible by a Science Foundation Ireland International Strategic Collaboration (ISCA) Award to develop and strengthen existing partnerships with leading Chinese institutions in the research areas of ICT, biomedical science and nanotechnology.
Milestones of Medieval Dublin Lecture Series Podcasts
Milestones of Medieval Dublin
Renowned experts will explain just how the invasions, battles, famines and plagues that medieval Dubliners had to deal with make this one of the most fascinating cities in Europe. This is a unique opportunity to discover how events like the arrival of the Vikings and the Anglo-Normans who built Dublin castle helped shape the city.
Renowned experts will explain just how the invasions, battles, famines and plagues that medieval Dubliners had to deal with make this one of the most fascinating cities in Europe. This is a unique opportunity to discover how events like the arrival of the Vikings and the Anglo-Normans who built Dublin castle helped shape the city.
Orcid unique author identifiers !
About ORCID | Connecting Research and Researchers distinquish yourself in three easy steps.
ORCID provides a persistent digital identifier that distinguishes you from every other researcher and, through integration in key research workflows such as manuscript and grant submission, supports automated linkages between you and your professional activities ensuring that your work is recognizedState must seize €1bn opportunity afforded by EU’s Horizon 2020 plan
State must seize €1bn opportunity afforded by EU’s Horizon 2020 plan so argues EU commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science MĂ¡ire Geoghegan-Quinn.
Ireland can draw down a minimum of €1 billion over the next seven years under the EU research, innovation and science programme Horizon 2020. However, more Irish organisations must participate in the programme.
Ireland can draw down a minimum of €1 billion over the next seven years under the EU research, innovation and science programme Horizon 2020. However, more Irish organisations must participate in the programme.
Thursday 5 December 2013
Presentation Videos from ‘Open Data and Evidence Informed Decision Making’ seminar | The Programmable City
Presentation Videos from ‘Open Data and Evidence Informed Decision Making’ seminar | The Programmable City
Here are the videos of the seminars and links to the slides, as only presenters are seen in the videos.
The Programmable City project is undertaking a sustained programme of research on how software makes a difference to how social, spatial and economic life takes place, providing a comprehensive and groundbreaking interdisciplinary analysis of the two core inter-related aspects of the emerging programmable city: (a) Translation: how cities are translated into code, and (b) Transduction: how code reshapes city life.
Here are the videos of the seminars and links to the slides, as only presenters are seen in the videos.
The Programmable City project is undertaking a sustained programme of research on how software makes a difference to how social, spatial and economic life takes place, providing a comprehensive and groundbreaking interdisciplinary analysis of the two core inter-related aspects of the emerging programmable city: (a) Translation: how cities are translated into code, and (b) Transduction: how code reshapes city life.
Peer Review : Debate : Nature
Peer Review : Debate : Nature
Peer review is commonly accepted as an essential part of scientific publication. But the ways peer review is put into practice vary across journals and disciplines. What is the best method of peer review? Is it truly a value-adding process? What are the ethical concerns? And how can new technology be used to improve traditional models?
This Nature web debate consists of 22 articles of analyses and perspectives from leading scientists, publishers and other stakeholders to address these questions. Key links and relevant articles from their archive are listed.
Peer review is commonly accepted as an essential part of scientific publication. But the ways peer review is put into practice vary across journals and disciplines. What is the best method of peer review? Is it truly a value-adding process? What are the ethical concerns? And how can new technology be used to improve traditional models?
This Nature web debate consists of 22 articles of analyses and perspectives from leading scientists, publishers and other stakeholders to address these questions. Key links and relevant articles from their archive are listed.
Introducing Subjectivity to Peer Review !
How to fix peer review
PEER review, many boffins argue, channelling Churchill, is the worst way to ensure quality of research, except all the others. Marcus MunafĂ², of Bristol University, believes it could be improved—by injecting a dose of subjectivity. The claim, which he and his colleagues present in a (peer-reviewed) paper just published in Nature, is odd. Science, after all, purports to be about seeking objective truth (or at least avoiding objective falsity). But it is done by scientists, who are human beings. And like other human endeavours, Dr MunafĂ² says, it is prone to bubbles. When the academic herd stampedes to the right answer, that is fine and dandy. Less so if it rushes towards the wrong one.
PEER review, many boffins argue, channelling Churchill, is the worst way to ensure quality of research, except all the others. Marcus MunafĂ², of Bristol University, believes it could be improved—by injecting a dose of subjectivity. The claim, which he and his colleagues present in a (peer-reviewed) paper just published in Nature, is odd. Science, after all, purports to be about seeking objective truth (or at least avoiding objective falsity). But it is done by scientists, who are human beings. And like other human endeavours, Dr MunafĂ² says, it is prone to bubbles. When the academic herd stampedes to the right answer, that is fine and dandy. Less so if it rushes towards the wrong one.
New, nonprofit, open-access, scientific journal Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene launches
Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene
Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene publishes original research reporting new knowledge of the Earth's physical, chemical, and biological systems during this era of human impacts; feedbacks between human and natural systems; and steps that can be taken to mitigate and adapt to environmental change. Elementa reports on fundamental advancements in research organized initially into six domains, embracing the concept that basic knowledge can foster sustainable solutions for society.
Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene publishes original research reporting new knowledge of the Earth's physical, chemical, and biological systems during this era of human impacts; feedbacks between human and natural systems; and steps that can be taken to mitigate and adapt to environmental change. Elementa reports on fundamental advancements in research organized initially into six domains, embracing the concept that basic knowledge can foster sustainable solutions for society.
Wednesday 4 December 2013
‘Letters from an Irish Missionary in China’
Launch of the exhibition ‘Letters from an Irish Missionary in China’ | NUI Maynooth Library
A launch of the exhibition ‘Letters from an Irish Missionary in China’ will take place in the Russell Library on Tuesday, 10th December at 4.30pm.
The exhibition tells the story of Bishop Edward Galvin, co-founder of the Maynooth Mission to China, through a series of reproduced letters from the collections of the Columban Fathers. This material is supplemented with primary and secondary sources from the collections of the Russell Library.
The exhibition, which runs until the end of January, provides a fascinating insight into Chinese civilisation and customs as well as religion and politics.
A launch of the exhibition ‘Letters from an Irish Missionary in China’ will take place in the Russell Library on Tuesday, 10th December at 4.30pm.
The exhibition tells the story of Bishop Edward Galvin, co-founder of the Maynooth Mission to China, through a series of reproduced letters from the collections of the Columban Fathers. This material is supplemented with primary and secondary sources from the collections of the Russell Library.
The exhibition, which runs until the end of January, provides a fascinating insight into Chinese civilisation and customs as well as religion and politics.
12 days of christmas information sources recommendations
ALISS 12 days of christmas recommendations
Here are recommendations for the 12 days of christmas (for social scientists and others!) This is a nice eclectic list of resources based on the themes of the 12 days of Christmas produced by the Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences.
Here are recommendations for the 12 days of christmas (for social scientists and others!) This is a nice eclectic list of resources based on the themes of the 12 days of Christmas produced by the Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences.
Tuesday 3 December 2013
Food and forestry researchers get €26.3m for 51 projects
Food and forestry researchers get €26.3m for 51 projects
More than €26 million has been awarded to 51 food and forestry research projects by the Department of Agriculture, Minister Simon Coveney announced this morning.
Several of the projects are investigating novel health benefits of foods. A joint Teagasc/UCC/NUIG project will investigate the potential of omega 3, derived from marine algae, to prevent depression and boost mental health.
A University of Limerick/University of Ulster project is looking at the use of peptides found in seaweed and fish byproducts in controlling diabetes. It is also investigating the possibility that these peptides could help appetite control, by giving the sensation of “feeling full”.
Meanwhile, researchers in UCD and Teagasc are measuring the beneficial effects of grass-fed beef in areas such as glucose control and heart health.
Other projects are looking at food safety, climate change, controlling disease in crops and improving soil quality.
Salamanca archives catalogue now available
Salamanca archives | NUI Maynooth Library
From the late 16th century, Irish colleges grew up on the continent in countries where trade links with Ireland were already well established and where there was support for Catholic reform. Young men, seeking an education for the professions or training for the priesthood, gravitated to university centres in Spain, France and the Low Countries where small colleges were established to provide their formation. Many of these closed in the turbulence of the late 18th century. The only ones to re-open in 1815, were those in Salamanca, Paris and Rome.
The archives of the Irish College in Salamanca came to Maynooth on the closure of the college in 1951. They comprise some 50,000 administrative documents dating from the foundation of the college in 1592 to the mid- 20th century. The collection also includes some papers from other Irish colleges in Spain: Lisbon (flourished 1590-1834), Valladolid (founded 1592), Santiago de Compostela (fl. 1605-1769), Seville (fl. 1612-1767), Madrid (founded 1629), AlcalĂ¡ de Henares (fl. 1649-1785).
The Salamanca Archive catalogue can be accessed through the St Patricks, College Maynooth archive catalogue
From the late 16th century, Irish colleges grew up on the continent in countries where trade links with Ireland were already well established and where there was support for Catholic reform. Young men, seeking an education for the professions or training for the priesthood, gravitated to university centres in Spain, France and the Low Countries where small colleges were established to provide their formation. Many of these closed in the turbulence of the late 18th century. The only ones to re-open in 1815, were those in Salamanca, Paris and Rome.
The archives of the Irish College in Salamanca came to Maynooth on the closure of the college in 1951. They comprise some 50,000 administrative documents dating from the foundation of the college in 1592 to the mid- 20th century. The collection also includes some papers from other Irish colleges in Spain: Lisbon (flourished 1590-1834), Valladolid (founded 1592), Santiago de Compostela (fl. 1605-1769), Seville (fl. 1612-1767), Madrid (founded 1629), AlcalĂ¡ de Henares (fl. 1649-1785).
The Salamanca Archive catalogue can be accessed through the St Patricks, College Maynooth archive catalogue
Monday 2 December 2013
Journal Metrics: Research analytics redefined
Journal Metrics: Research analytics redefined | Home
The academic community has long been demanding more transparency, choice and accuracy in journal assessment. Currently, the majority of academic output is evaluated based on a single ranking of journal impact. Bibliometricians have been exploring new methods to provide deeper insight. Within the field of journal evaluation, two of the most exciting are Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP) and SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), those values are provided here free of charge.
The academic community has long been demanding more transparency, choice and accuracy in journal assessment. Currently, the majority of academic output is evaluated based on a single ranking of journal impact. Bibliometricians have been exploring new methods to provide deeper insight. Within the field of journal evaluation, two of the most exciting are Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP) and SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), those values are provided here free of charge.
InCites:Supporting objective analysis of people, programs and peers by connecting research to impact | Thomson Reuters
InCites | Thomson Reuters
InCites™ is a customized, web-based research evaluation tool that allows you to analyze institutional productivity and benchmark your output against peers worldwide. With customized citation data, global metrics, and multidimensional profiles on the leading research institutions, InCites gives comprehensive insight into your institution's performance. And with robust visualization and reporting tools, you can create and share reports quickly and easily.
This resource is available from the Library if you've any queries please contact me. The information at the above link also provides a useful article and a White paper on using Bibliometrics to evaluate research performance.
InCites™ is a customized, web-based research evaluation tool that allows you to analyze institutional productivity and benchmark your output against peers worldwide. With customized citation data, global metrics, and multidimensional profiles on the leading research institutions, InCites gives comprehensive insight into your institution's performance. And with robust visualization and reporting tools, you can create and share reports quickly and easily.
This resource is available from the Library if you've any queries please contact me. The information at the above link also provides a useful article and a White paper on using Bibliometrics to evaluate research performance.
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Research evaluation should be pragmatic, not a choice between peer review and metrics
Responding to the growing momentum of movements, such as DORA and CoARA, Giovanni Abramo argues for a more nuanced balance between the use o...
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Extinctions of large animals sever the Earth's 'nutrient arteries' A new study has demonstrated that large animals have acted...
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GuardianWitness What one piece of science do you wish everyone knew? Make a short film about your favourite bit of scientific knowledge a...