Research tools sessions

This workshop organised by the University Library will allow participants to take full advantage of the library resources at the University of Bergen and to assess and increase the impact of their scientific work.

You will learn how to find literature in the University Library and access research articles and books online from different sources. You will get hands-on training on how to use the most relevant databases for your research question, and how to save time and effort with efficient searching.

The course will be held at different branches of the library on campus. The student assistants will guide you to the right location. The workshops will be given by UiB librarians and librarians from Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

Find out more about the University of Bergen Library

Part I: Open Access (Irene Eikefjord, University of Bergen Library)

The presentation (pdf)

We will talk about what Open Access is, and how Open Access journals differ from traditional subscription journals. This includes also differences in rights and permissions, for both the author and readers. We will also give examples of the status on and work for Open Access in Norway and at the University of Bergen.

Part II: Open Data (Gunn Inger Lyse Samdal, NSD - Norwegian Centre for Research Data)

The presentation (pdf)

While Open Access primarily refers to making publications openly available, Open Data aims to make also scientific research data accessible. In this part we will talk about why data sharing is increasingly supported by research funders’ and publishers’ policies, what's in it for the researcher, how to manage your data during your project and how to share data in an easy way. The talk will also cover Data Management Plans (which are increasingly mandated by funders, e.g. EU's Horizon 2020).

Part III Citation Impact (Marta Zygmuntowska, University of Bergen Library)

The presentation (pdf)

Citations are increasingly used for the purpose of evaluating research. In this part we will talk about bibliometric indicators, such as the Impact Factor and h-index, and how they are calculated. Further the course will discuss the functions citations play in research and in research evaluations and show the implications bibliometric indicators may have for your research and your career.

The presentation (pdf)

Any kind of academic text presents a background study based on earlier published research. Writing from sources requires knowledge of the genre and skills in order to understand the purpose, structure and language of such texts. This workshop will help you understand the purpose of literature review work and will offer you useful strategies in order to help you to devise a workable structure and clear language in your own writing.

Tuesday, June 20, 15:30-17:00

The presentation (pdf)

How do you most effectively present your research findings to your colleagues or to the public? Kleiven, who was awarded the 2017 Metlzer Prize for research dissemination, will give you some useful tips for preparing your presentation.

Scientific literacy is essential knowledge and understanding required for participation and decision-making in our societies. Research outreach activities can generate much-needed excitement and interest in science with students and the public. Providing science outreach activities is also a great way to gain a deeper understanding of science and its applications, and develop valuable communication skills. If you learn to successfully explain an aspect of science or technology to a fifth-grader, your own level of understanding is greatly enhanced.

It is comparatively easy to communicate scientific ideas to another scientist. However, if we try to use the same techniques with a nonscientist, it is easy to perhaps annoy and alienate. If we want the general public to support the pursuit of science, we need to effectively convey its nature and benefits. Thus, the communication skills to be gained by engaging in various types of research outreach activities will serve both you and your profession well.

Kikki Kleiven is Associate Professor at UiB’s Department of Earth Science, where she works on Paleoseanogra, the study of the history of the oceans in the geologic past with regard to circulation, chemistry, biology, geology and patterns of sedimentation and biological productivity. She is also passionate about popular science outreach and dissemination, especially on climate related topics. 

Wednesday, June 21, 13:30-15:00

The pesentation (pdf)

Surveys indicate that ethical problems in science are much more common than many people were willing to admit. We can observe that issues of integrity of science and research ethics are more and more melting into each other in current science policy debates. We can also observe that awareness of these issues is till very limited, and discussions on a broad basis are needed. This lecture traverses scientific practice from serious cheating to unintentional flaws in quality. It is intended to inspire such discussions.

Carl Walter Matthias Kaiser is Director of Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities, University of Bergen. His areas of expertise include: philosophy of science (Dr.phil.), ethics of science, and technology assessment. His areas of competence include social studies of science and technology, history of science, ethics, logic, and history of philosophy. His topics of interest include but are not restricted to: risk, the precautionary principle, uncertainty & complexity, aquaculture, food ethics, governance, value studies, integrity in science, energy, public participation, gm-organisms.