Go to ReStore home page http://www.restore.ac.uk

Background

The delivery of technology-enhanced learning is of increasing relevance to the training and development of researchers in the social sciences. Online resources not only provide a valuable personal development resource for researchers unable to participate in face-to-face training, but also provide an important repository of social science knowledge. There has been a considerable ESRC investment in online resources through initiatives such as the Research Methods Programme (RMP), the Researcher Development Initiative (RDI), Quantitative Methods Initiative (QMI) and the National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM).

The development of an online resource is time-consuming and expensive and the full value of the resource only comes into play close to the point at which funding ends. Following the completion of the initial award, the value of the resource will often deteriorate, seriously limiting the returns on the initial investment by ESRC.

The purpose of the ReStore project is to come up with a solution to this problem. The project is the result of extended discussion between RMP, NCRM and ESRC and is hosted by the NCRM Hub.

Aims of the ReStore Project

1. Build a prototype of a service for sustaining online resources
2. Establish a service to sustain online resources in the field of research methods
3. Lead the development of a long-term strategy for ESRC in sustaining on-line resources.

Activities to sustain online resources will be related primarily to the support provided for software where upgrades introduce new features, new methodological developments which need to be recognised, and new or updated references.

Approach

Resources will be selected for sustaining within ReStore via academic and technical review processes designed to ensure high quality and technical robustness. These processes will be developed by the ReStore team in consultation with the Advisory Group. The online resources that are selected for maintenance will be transferred to a supported web architecture on NCRM server for ongoing support. External service providers will be commissioned to do the required work if the original resource author(s) and ReStore team are unable to update the content or technology. To ensure the sustained nature of the resources, all resources within ReStore service will be subject to further update reviews by regular intervals.

Online resources to be sustained within the ReStore will in the first instance only be selected from the ESRC-funded RMP, RDI, QMI and NCRM initiatives. The ReStore team is, however, interested to hear about other potential resources for inclusion, in order to help develop its longer-term plans.

Project core team

• Arshad A. Khan (Research Assistant) is responsible for the development of technical assessment processes and leads the technical development of resources and the repository platform.
• Kaisa Puustinen (NCRM External Relations & Resources Officer) is responsible for project management, communication with resource authors, reporting to the project core team and Advisory Group, and project publicity.
• Chris Skinner, David Martin and Jane Seale (NCRM co-directors) are the grant holders and responsible for overall management.
• Angela Dale (University of Manchester) is acting as a consultant to the team and is responsible for leading developments relating to long-term ESRC strategy for sustaining online resources.

Advisory Group

The group advises on: criteria and procedures for selection and reviews; the development of the project and its links with related initiatives; and strategic issues. It also makes decisions about the selection of resources. The group currently consists of:

• Cormac Connolly, Chair (ESRC)
• Angela Dale (RMP, ESDS)
• Keith Cole (NCeSS, MIMAS, JORUM)
• Ray Lee (RDI)
• Debra Hiom (Intute Social Science)
• Clare Madge (University of Leicester)
• Wendy White (University of Southampton)
• Chris Skinner (NCRM)
• David Martin (NCRM)
• Jane Seale (NCRM)