RESEARCH REPORT 2020
CPUT LIBRARIES
CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
86
Libraries was presented with opportunities to further develop and strengthen the existing research support platforms by adding more content and migrating to newer versions of software platforms.
Dr Elisha Chiware
powered by Figshare). To ensure research data integrity, more stringent review processes were implemented for the data repository platform.
chiwaree@cput.ac.za
CPUT Libraries continued its support for research activities at CPUT during 2020, by providing many different platforms and research support services. As a result of the National Lockdown in response to Covid-19, the Libraries experienced a number of challenges. Despite these, they continued to provide services through the LibChat online service ‘AskUs’ platform, e-mails, phone calls, Teams meetings and training sessions, and consultations. Although the Libraries were closed for most of the year, there were still 2 606 visits to the Research Information Support Centre (RISC) areas and staff dealt with over 400 queries. The lockdown period also provided the Libraries with opportunities to further develop and strengthen the existing research support platforms by adding more content and migrating to newer versions of software platforms. There were further increases in the datasets being made open access on the eSango platform (CPUT Research Data repository,
Institutional Repository (IR)
Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD)
CPUT Research Data repository (powered by Figshare)
In terms of collection development, the Libraries have increased the number of eBooks available for research by 1069 new titles (161%). The number of print books added to the collection declined significantly in 2020. More research databases were also added to the existing collections; they include AOCA Methods, Film Platform and Jove Science Education Video Series. The three institutional repository research support platforms – Research Outputs (IR), Electronic Thesis & Dissertations (ETD) and Research Data (eSango Figshare) – also had more content uploaded. There were 527 additional items added to the IR platform and more than 380 000 views registered, as well 153 000 downloads. The ETD platform grew by 147 items to 2 134. The registered users of the data repository platform increased by 5 to 197 during this period, with the views increasing from 8 785 to 13 797, and the downloads increasing from 1 011 to 4 338. The Libraries also assisted researchers with drawing up research Bibliometrics and Altmetrics reports. During this year, 78 new metrics were created.
