Provision of research support services across the research lifecycle in university libraries

Abstract

This study aims to identify current offerings of research support services (RSS) by Pakistani university libraries to their research community at various phases of the research lifecycle. It also offers data on the future planning of libraries about RSS and compares the results with international studies to gauge the progress of Pakistani university libraries in this direction. This study used a quantitative design to collect data from 138 reference/head librarians of university libraries across four research lifecycle stages. The Cronbach alpha reliability of the questionnaire was 0.95, and the data were analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequency analysis and the Chi-square test were used to draw inferences. The results indicated that more than 50% of university libraries in Pakistan were providing most of the research support services associated with all stages of the research lifecycle. The majority of libraries offer traditional research support services as compared to advanced services which have been developed in recent times across the globe. The results of the study further indicated that private-sector university libraries were offering a higher level of research support services than public-sector university libraries. Furthermore, libraries associated with public sector universities showed more inclination toward offering these services as a part of their future planning. This study examined the current status of Pakistani university libraries’ research support services, grouped according to each stage of the research lifecycle. The study is an amalgamation of traditional and advanced research support services in order to give new dimensions to this area and the structured instrument designed for this study may be used by other researchers to conduct similar studies in their social setting. The findings will aid public sector university libraries in their efforts to provide their research communities with greater research support services. The results will be valuable to university and library administrators for strategic planning to meet the community’s need for research-based services.