Article by Rebekah Luff, Dorothy Byatt and David Martin, NCRM, University of Southampton (MethodsNews Spring 2015)
Back in 2004, soon after the inception of the NCRM, a need was identified to be able to classify research methods in order to support the priorities of the NCRM and other ESRC initiatives.
The initial driver for this was to classify items in the training and events database, but the range of potential applications grew, including: classifying research projects, funding schemes and papers, identifying areas of need for training and research, defining current trends and prioritising research methods. The original typology was hierarchically structured, with 7 main categories following the stages of a research project, each divided into subcategories which were further refined using descriptors. Since 2004, the main categories and subcategories of the typology have been applied to the structure of NCRM’s online resources and used to shape and inform research and training needs assessments.
A decade later, in 2014, a reassessment of the typology was undertaken to consider whether there were new methods to add, old terminology to remove and to look at how well it was working in practice for users. Some weaknesses were identified, particularly in relation to problems experienced by users when trying to label their article or training event using the typology. It was felt that the categories and subcategories didn’t allow enough detail, categories were being interpreted differently by different users, and the purpose of labelling was not apparent to all users. As a result, labelling had become very inconsistent, resulting in less precise search results for those trying to find a document or training course. While NCRM research staff had expertise in research methods and a good overview of the vast range of methods and materials, we had limited understanding as to how users interface with uploading and searches and the various complexities of university repositories and search engines.
The NCRM were joined on a part-time basis by Dorothy Byatt, a University of Southampton librarian with wide ranging expertise in information management, funded by a successful small bid to the EPSRC “IT as a Utility” initiative. A key issue was that in the context of new possibilities for tagging online materials and allowing completely free keyword choices, perhaps a typology, or at least a hierarchical typology was no longer needed at all? A second was that whatever system we chose, it had to be meaningful in multiple contexts and online platforms and be clearly explained to a growing number of users.
After a review of available options and similar types of applications, it was decided to broadly retain the existing hierarchical typology, but to effectively create an extra level of heading, allowing more precise and fine-grain detail. This enables scholars to identify their area more readily by expanding the list of options from 107 in 2004 to nearly 400 in 2014. In solving one problem however, another was created: how can this significant structure be presented and understood? Input from three areas of expertise: IT, academic methodologists and information management, together tackled the problem of creating a friendly interface for those uploading items and events, including expanding lists and instructions tailored to the particular system being used.
The revised typology has now been implemented in all of NCRM’s online databases and we will continue to study its presentation, as well as how it is used and searched, an iterative process which will continue across the life of the NCRM.
To download the report please go to http://eprints.ncrm.ac.uk/3721/