OCLC Research Library Partnership (RLP) : Addressing Bias in Research Analytics

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A conversation on the challenges of bias in research metrics and how libraries could respond.

IBM 704 mainframe at NACA in 1957. Public Domain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_mainframe 

Today’s universities and scholars increasingly rely upon an array of indicators about research activities to support institutional decision making, competitive analysis and economic development, impact assessment, and individual and institutional reputation management. But increasing reliance on big data also brings the responsibility of asking questions about how biases may be baked into frequently used research metrics resources.

For instance:

  • What do researchers and institutional leaders need to know to use research analytics responsibly?
  • What is the role of the library?
  • Who can libraries partner with?
  • How can we support scholars who may be affected by bias?
  • And how can these biases negatively impact institutional climate?

We will explore these questions in this RLP event. Sheila Craft-Morgan will kick off out conversation by sharing her perspective as the research impact librarian at Ohio State, with extensive experience in institutional research. Allegra Swift will follow sharing about the Library’s collaboration with the Office of Compliance and Integrity and Research Ethics Programs at UC San Diego. We will then have ample time for discussion and sharing among all participants.

Participants are encouraged to come prepared to listen, contribute, and participate, including sharing about your own institutional efforts (even if these are still emerging). This is a rich opportunity for us to learn from each other and to find mutual support for efforts that challenge us all.
This discussion will not be recorded or shared after the fact, but we summarized the discussion in a blog post in the OCLC Research blog, Hanging Together, as part of their blog series on bibliometrics and research impact.

Dates (two sessions available)

Thursday, 16 February 2023 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EST (UTC -5) (Europe/North American East Coast friendly time)
Thursday, 16 February 2023 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm EST (UTC -5) (North American West Coast/Asia Pacific friendly time)

All affiliates of OCLC Research Library Partnership organizations are invited to participate. Registration page.