Improving the discoverability of PhD student work through a CRIS system

Abstract

Purpose Dissertations from the University of Novi Sad (UNS) are integrated with the research information system called the current research information system (CRIS) UNS. This paper aims to present a proposal for an extension of this system to enable the storage of student papers as prescribed by PhD study exam obligations. The proposed extension enables preservation and improves discoverability of scientific and technical works produced by students during their PhD studies. Design/methodology/approach An analysis of examination modes in accredited PhD study programs has been conducted. It was noted that students in examination modes verify the obtained results in the form of scientific and technical work. The main idea of this paper is to enable the preservation of those student results and to implement electronic services for retrieving those results by current and future PhD students to empower the development of science. Findings The proposal includes an extension of the CRIS UNS to store and publish student papers as prescribed as a PhD study exam obligation; an extension of the CERIF data model to enable storing of student papers; cataloguing student papers in the MARC 21 format; and a way to represent student papers in the Dublin Core format. Practical implications This paper can be a starting point for initiatives for the creation of institutional, regional, national and international Web portals for searching and browsing papers by PhD students. Social implications This system offers the improvement of cooperation between PhD students from different institutions and countries. Originality/value The paper presents an extension of institutional, national and international current research information system (CRIS) systems which will enable the preservation and improve discoverability of student papers produced during PhD studies. The proposed extension has been verified by its implementation within the CRIS UNS system, which also supports monitoring of the scientific competencies of students based on an automatic evaluation of published scientific results.