The IRUS-USA Pilot Project: Collecting Standardized IR Usage Statistics

Date

2019-05-22

Authors

Chaplin, David
Graham, Wayne
Jones, Hilary
Kim, Katherine
Lambert, Jo
Macintyre, Ross
Needham, Paul
Nowviskie, Bethany
Perrin, Joy
Rubinow, Sara

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Texas Digital Library

Abstract

The value of Open Access (OA) in supporting effective research is widely recognized. Institutional repositories perform a key role, facilitating global knowledge sharing and enabling academic institutions to share research outputs with a wider audience. Within this context, measuring the reach of research is key. Tracking, monitoring and benchmarking usage of scholarly resources helps to demonstrate value and impact. It supports understanding of an institution's research; informs both policy and process for a wide range of stakeholders; and identifies emerging trends within local, national, and often international contexts. Part of Jisc’s Open Access offer, IRUS (Institutional Repository Usage Statistics) enables institutional repositories to share and compare usage data based on the COUNTER standard. The service provides access to authoritative, standards-based statistics supporting universities to gain a better understanding of the breakdown and usage of their institution's research, which they can share with key stakeholders. The implementation of IRUS in the United Kingdom, known as IRUS-UK, provides a clear indication of the significant level of UK repository usage. The IRUS-USA pilot project is an opportunity to launch national benchmarking in the United States and potentially initiate international comparison. This session will focus on the IRUS-USA pilot project, a joint effort between Jisc in the UK and the Council on Library Resources/Digital Library Federation in the US. Drawing upon quantitative and qualitative assessment data, this session will update the TCDL community on the IRUS-USA pilot project’s achievements and lessons learned at the pilot’s conclusion. It will highlight examples of best practices, as well as opportunities for international coordination and cooperation. It will conclude by sharing the benefits of standardizing data to create clear and understandable impact measures and the emerging common practices with similar tools and metrics.

Description

Presented by Jisc, Council on Library and Information Resources, Digital Library Federation, Cranfield University, Texas Tech University, New York Public Library, and the University of Houston, 1B | IR/Assessment, at TCDL 2019.

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