Melbourne ResearchResearch performance

Research publications collection

Key dates | Why do we collect this data? | Types of publication | How are publications submitted? | Coding your research - FOR & SEO codes | What happens next? | Useful resources | Contact |

Key dates

2009 publication data

Why do we collect this data?

The University of Melbourne annually collects data on all research publications published by staff and students of the University. As part of the annual Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) Higher Education Research Data Collection the University is required to report on research publications published within a calendar year. The collection of accurate publications data is important because:
The MRO conducts an annual audit of research publications to ensure accurate and comprehensive data is submitted to DIISR.

Types of publication

DIISR publications

The University is required to report to DIISR publication that fall into the four categories below. These are used by DIISR as proxies of total publication performance.

  1. Books - Authored - Research
  2. Chapters in Research Books
  3. Journal Articles - Refereed
  4. Conference Publications - Full Written Paper ? Refereed
See Section 4.2-4.3 of Publications Collection Classification Guidelines to find out what criteria enables work to be submitted against these categories. Academic Liaison Officers provide each department with expertise in classifying the publications that are submitted.

Non-DIISR publications

The University also collects publication data that does not fall into the above categories as part of our non-DIISR collection. This includes: creative recorded, exhibited or published works; computer software, reference works; audio-visual recordings; and report/working papers, and patents. This data is also used to allocate funding, create research reports and produce bibliographies. See Section 5 of Publications Collection Classification Guidelines.

How are publications submitted?

Publication details are collected via Themis. Departments have the option of either allowing researchers to enter their own publication details into Themis Publications or collection by Publication Coordinators on manual proformas (see below):

Coding your research

Projects and research should be classified with both FOR and SEO codes within Themis. It is vital that you use the six digit codes that designate the most specific subject descriptions within the classification schemes. For SEO codes this is the "class" level and with FOR the "subject" level.

Fields of Research (FOR) Codes
FOR codes are used to identify the general topic area in which the research was carried out. At least one FOR code needs to be recorded for publications entered into Themis Publications. Multiple FOR codes can be selected and each code is assigned a percentage depending on relevance (ensure) that they equal 100% in combination.

FOR-RFCD Comparisons
Click here to see how old RFCD codes translate into new FOR codes.

Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) Codes
SEO codes are used to identify the principal area where the research leading to the publication will benefit the nation. At least one SEO code needs to be recorded for publications entered into Themis Publications. Multiple SEO codes can be selected and each code is assigned a percentage depending on relevance. Ensure that they equal 100% in combination.

SEO Comparisons
Click here to see how old and new SEO codes compare.

What happens next?

Upon receipt of your publications data, the MRO applies Performance Weightings to both DIISR and non-DIISR submissions according to publication category. These are used for funding allocation and performance benchmarking purposes.

Useful resources

Contact

Contact RPAG or Publication Collection Administrators
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