Announcements
Announcements
During the last several years, the amount of scientific research data being published by universities, including UAB, has increased significantly due to a unique combination of new federal mandates and updates to publisher requirements. There has never been a centrally located resource available across the UAB enterprise to collect those datasets — until now, with the creation of the new Research Data Catalog from the Office of Scholarly Communication in UAB Libraries.
According to DataCite, a nonprofit organization that tracks research outputs, data publication has increased tenfold during the last decade.
From 2022 to 2023 alone, the number of newly registered DOIs — or unique strings of numbers and letters that identify documents like books, articles and government reports — in repositories tracked by the DataCite network grew from 7,745,931 to 18,049,694. That equals an increase of more than 10.3 million records in a single year.
Hosted in the UAB Digital Commons, the Research Data Catalog is an online collection of records describing datasets generated by UAB researchers; rather than directly including or storing datasets, the catalog functions as a directory to help users discover UAB-deposited datasets in external repositories like Zenodo and Dryad.
Before creating the catalog, the lack of a central repository to search across dataset records was a severe hindrance to data discovery at UAB, said Marla Hertz, research data management librarian for the OSC.
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"Anyone who's tried to locate the raw data underlying scientific research likely knows the pain that can come with that process. We desperately need better tools to make the discovery of data easier, and we think this new catalog is just the thing to do that.” |
“A recent report from Digital Science on the state of open data showed that 75% of researchers feel they have received no support with planning, managing and sharing their research data,” Hertz explained. “The OSC helps bridge that gap. And anyone who's tried to locate the raw data underlying scientific research likely knows the pain that can come with that process. We desperately need better tools to make the discovery of data easier, and we think this new catalog is just the thing to do that.”
Currently, the catalog has more than 100 dataset records deposited in Dryad and Zenodo repositories by UAB researchers spanning from 2012-2024, as well as custom records for unique, UAB-exclusive datasets, such as data from the REGARDS study, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center, and CFAR.
Who can use the catalog?
The catalog is available open access through the UAB Digital Commons, UAB’s digital repository maintained by UAB Libraries — meaning it is accessible to anyone, anytime, across the globe. However, several of UAB’s constituent groups could find the Research Data Catalog particularly useful, Hertz says.
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Learn more about the new catalog in this webinar: |
- Researchers can find their own data in the catalog and identify collaborators and methodology expertise.
- Administrators can track and report on data outputs, plus monitor compliance to open data requirements.
- Educators can find and use datasets for course instruction.
- Students can explore different areas of research and identify experts in fields of interest.
“The data catalog has something for everyone,” Hertz explained. “I often hear from researchers who struggle to figure out where to preserve their data. They ask me, ‘Where do other people at UAB share their research data?’ Now you can figure it out by browsing through the new data catalog.”
Learn more about the new catalog in this webinar:
Where Does UAB Deposit Their Research Data? Enhancing Data Discovery with a New Data Catalog — 11 a.m. Feb. 11, register in advance
A framework for success
Creating and maintaining the Research Data Catalog was a key goal in UAB’s Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose, the enterprise’s road map to multiply the positive impact of our research and reach $1 billion in research expenditures. (Learn more about Growth with Purpose in a town hall scheduled March 19.) Hertz is a member of the initiative’s working group focused on research data management, co-chaired by Ralph Zottola, assistant vice president for Research Computing in UAB Information Technology, and Suzanne Judd, Ph.D., professor of biostatistics and interim chair in the Department of Health Behavior in the School of Public Health, the goal of which is to enhance research data management systems to support the growing research enterprise.
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UAB researchers who have published datasets and would like their information included in the catalog can submit a dataset entry to the Research Data Catalog using this form. |
Going forward, the catalog will continue to be populated with records to datasets from Figshare and ICPSR, and the Office of Scholarly Communication is open to suggestions for other data repositories to prioritize; contact Marla Hertz mihertz@uab.edu or Amy Reese reesea@uab.edu with requests. A FAQ guide also is available.
The OSC team also will continue to add custom records for unique, large-scale UAB data projects, such as electronic medical record data discovery using DataLENS, and the i2b2 data discovery tool — both from UAB’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science — and more. The catalog also will update annually to add new records from the existing list of data repositories.
“The data catalog can help break down information silos across the UAB enterprise,” Hertz said. “We hope researchers use it as a networking opportunity to find collaborators and methodology experts.”
UAB researchers who have published datasets and would like their information included in the catalog can submit a dataset entry to the Research Data Catalog using this form.
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UAB-affiliated authors can publish open access in select Wiley gold and hybrid open access journals at no cost to the author through an ongoing read-and-publish agreement between Wiley and UAB Libraries.
Unlike traditional publishing systems, open access journals do not require a subscription to access paywalled resources; to offset that loss of revenue, most OA publications collect what is called an article processing charge (APC) in order to publish.
The average APC cost is just over $1,600, according to an article published earlier this year in Sci Ed, and UAB Libraries funds up to 100 Wiley APCs per year on a first-come, first-served basis. Since Jan. 1, 2023, UAB Libraries has saved more than $773,000 in APC fees for UAB authors via its agreement with Wiley.
“The Wiley agreement is one of the most significant ways UAB Libraries can equip our authors to publish open access,” said Jeff Gravline, J.D., associate dean for Research and Scholarly Communication and director of the Office of Scholarly Communication in UAB Libraries. “We’re excited to continue offering APC funding assistance for the third year running.”
After the cap is reached, UAB-affiliated authors remain eligible for a 15% discount on APCs when publishing open access with Wiley.
Get the details
To qualify for APC funding through UAB Libraries’ agreement with Wiley, authors must currently be affiliated with UAB and be either the lead or corresponding author on the article. Articles must be a Research Article, Review Article or a Case study, and it must have been accepted on or after Jan. 1, 2025. Authors also are limited to one funded APC per calendar year. Find additional details in this research guide.
More opportunities to publish open access
In addition to its agreement with Wiley, UAB Libraries also has read-and-publish agreements with Springer Nature, which has saved more than $397,00 for UAB authors since January 2024, and Cambridge Publishing, which has saved more than $100,000 for UAB authors since January 2021.
Two new agreements with Mary Ann Liebert Inc. and The Company of Biologists were launched in January 2025, and UAB also has ongoing agreements with IOP Publishing, the Association for Computing Machinery and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Learn more about open access publishing support through UAB Libraries in this research guide, and contact Graveline (jgraveli@uab.edu) in the Office of Scholarly Communication with questions.
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Two new read-and-publish agreements made between UAB Libraries and top journal publishers Mary Ann Liebert Inc. and The Company of Biologists will enable UAB authors to have their article processing fees (APCs) waived when publishing in select open access journals — meaning savings of around $1,600 per author per article.
Three previously established read-and-publish agreements with Wiley, Springer Nature, and Cambridge Publishing saved UAB authors more than $1.1 million in costs associated with open access publishing from 2021 through fall 2024.
“The addition of two new read-and-publish agreements is a huge step in expanding our commitment to open access publishing,” said Jeff Graveline, J.D., associate dean for Research and Scholarly Communication and director of the Office of Scholarly Communication in UAB Libraries. “When work by our authors is published open access, that means its available at no cost to anyone who wants to read it — enabling the work done here at UAB to be an even bigger part of research, education and health care on a global scale.”
Mary Ann Liebert Inc. is a global media company dedicated to creating, curating and delivering impactful peer-reviewed research and authoritative content services to advance the fields of biotechnology and the life sciences, specialized clinical medicine, public health and policy, and technology and engineering. Under the new agreement, UAB authors may have their APC costs waived for any gold or hybrid open access journal published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc.
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“When work by our authors is published open access, that means its available at no cost to anyone who wants to read it — enabling the work done here at UAB to be an even bigger part of research, education and health care on a global scale.” |
The Company of Biologists is a not-for-profit publishing organization dedicated to supporting and inspiring the biological community. Under the new agreement, UAB authors will not be charged an APC for publishing in any of the organization’s five journals: Development, Journal of Cell Science, Journal of Experimental Biology, Disease Models and Mechanisms, and Biology Open.
To qualify, authors must currently be affiliated with UAB, and articles must have been accepted on or after Jan. 1, 2025. See additional specific qualifications for Mary Ann Liebert and The Company of Biologists online, and learn more about open access publishing support through UAB Libraries in this research guide. Contact Graveline (jgraveli@uab.edu) in the Office of Scholarly Communication with questions.
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Data visualization — the representation of data through charts, plots, infographics, and other visual media — can be a powerful tool in communicating research to a variety of audiences.
In this three-workshop series, Ashley S. McGuire, STEM librarian and liaison to the School of Engineering and the Department of Chemistry for UAB Libraries, will introduce participants to all things data visualization for both quantitative and qualitative research.
All workshops take place noon-1 p.m. in Sterne 163; bring a laptop or borrow one from the HUB Desk or loaner kiosks. A Zoom option also has been added as of Feb. 3; registration is required for both in-person or virtual attendance.
Feb. 5 — Getting Started with Data Visualization: Tools for Research
McGuire will discuss choosing the right tools for representing various kinds of data, plus provide guided practice in creating a variety of data visualizations, from classic charts and graphs to more sophisticated, interactive media.
March 5 — Getting Started with Data Visualization: Elements of Visual Design
McGuire will share best practices and common pitfalls to ensure accuracy and clarity in data visualizations and for understanding audiences, selecting the right type of visualization for your data, and how to use your data to tell a story.
April 2 — GIS for Data Visualization
Guest speaker Ariann F. Nassal, director of Geospatial Data Visualization at the Lister Hill Center for Health Policy, will give an introduction to geographic information systems and discuss tools available at UAB to create sophisticated visualization tools with your data.
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Employees and students interested in learning how to use UAB’s 3D printers can sign up for one of 10 upcoming training sessions offered by UAB Libraries this spring. Completing a training session is required before users can begin printing their own projects — but at just 1.5 hours long and offered both online and in-person, the rewards far outweigh the relatively small time investment, said Technology Labs Manager Patrick Boggs, who leads the training session.
“3D printing lets users be creative in so many ways,” Boggs said. “Lots of people print for fun — they make game figurines or intricate pots for plants, things like that — but what’s special about printing at UAB is that we’re uniquely placed to help with research and other campus initiatives.
“Folks at UAB have discovered really unique ways to incorporate 3D-printed items into their projects, like making molds for silicone tools used in heart research, or cases for GPS units the football team uses. The options really are endless.”
Sign up for a training that works for you
During the training, Blazers are given access to printer queues for both Sterne Library and Lister Hill Library 3D printing via 3DPrinterOS. 3DPrinterOS is a cloud-based system that lets users monitor the ongoing print queue to see when printers are available and check the progress of their jobs; several of the 3D printers managed in 3DPrinterOS have cameras attached so users can watch how their prints are coming along. Users also automatically receive a time-lapse video of their items being printed via email once the objects are complete.
Sessions continue through April 18; you also can find them on the Campus Calendar.
Introductory 3D Printer Training
- Feb. 6, noon-1:30 p.m., Lister Hill Library Virtual Reality Studio (110)
- Feb. 12, noon-1:30 p.m., LibLab (Sterne Library 112)
- Feb. 21, noon-1:30 p.m., virtual
- March 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., LHL Virtual Reality Studio (110)
- March 21, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., virtual
- April 3, noon-1:30 p.m., LHL Virtual Reality Studio (110)
- April 9, 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m., LibLab (Sterne 112)
- April 18, noon-1:30 p.m., virtual
Introductory SLA 3D Printer Training
- Feb. 25, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., LHL Virtual Reality Studio (110)
- March 25, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., LHL Virtual Reality Studio (110)
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Through a continued membership with Unity Academic Alliance, UAB students and employees can earn industry-recognized certifications in programming, artistry and game development from Unity, a real-time software development platform used to create content for virtual, augmented and mixed-reality, AI-driven simulations, and 2D and 3D video games.
The membership enables UAB students, faculty and staff to request no-cost, voucher-based access to Unity courseware, practice test content and certification exams. Available certifications include Certified Associate Programmer, Certified Associate Artist and Certified Associate Game Developer. Certification vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis; UAB’s Unity Academic Alliance membership will conclude when all vouchers are claimed.
“Unity developers remain in high demand in a variety of industry, from engineering, to film, to animation,” said Kevin Hebert, associate dean for Technology and Technical Services in UAB Libraries. “When we launched this program in spring 2024, we saw huge interest, so we know folks are interested in the skills these certifications encourage. We’re excited to offer it again and continue to support students as they combine what they learn in class with specific skills to develop portfolios for their post-graduation job search.”
Certified Associate Game DeveloperHow to get started
Blazers can begin earning Unity certifications by requesting vouchers through the UAB Libraries partnership; remember, the number of certifications available is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Once an employee or student has selected a learning pathway (Programmer, Artist or Game Developer), they can request courseware, practice test and certification exam vouchers through UAB Libraries.
Employees also can request Unity Academic Alliance member portal access to view curricular frameworks and other materials to support instruction and classroom use of Unity for different applications.
Visit the Unity Academic Alliance page in the Library Technology Labs research guide to learn more.
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Register for the spring 2025 Business Research Toolkit course to learn business research skills and discover no-cost online resources and subscription databases available through UAB Libraries. Available to all UAB students and employees, the asynchronous Canvas course is self-paced, enabling enrollees to fit it into any busy schedule. Registration is open now; the course runs Feb. 3-March 30.
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Join librarians from UAB Libraries’ Clinical, Academic and Research Engagement team to learn how to use three key tools available at no cost to faculty, staff and student researchers.
Curious what else is available to bolster your research skills? Researchers also can access nearly 650 more research tools and information databases online at no cost through UAB Libraries.
CINAHL
CINAHL is an index of English-language and selected other-language journal articles about nursing, allied health, biomedicine and health care.
By the end of a workshop, you’ll be able to:
- Build a basic search by developing search concepts
- Use Boolean Operators to connect search concepts
- Use Automatic Term Mapping in a search (Advanced course)
- Utilize Medical Subject Headings (Advanced course)
- Use Field Codes in a search (Advanced course)
Open workshops (all online):
- Jan. 23, noon-1 p.m. — Introduction to CINAHL
- April 16, noon-1 p.m. — Introduction to CINAHL
EndNote
EndNote is a bibliographic management platform designed to help users collect citations in one place and update them easily and quickly from one style to another.
By the end of a workshop, you’ll be able to:
- Create and organize a library of citations
- Send citations from various databases to EndNote
- Use EndNote to find PDFs of your citations
- Insert and edit EndNote citations in a Word document
Open workshops (all online):
- Jan. 28, noon-1 p.m. — Introduction to EndNote
- Feb. 20, noon-1 p.m. — Introduction to EndNote
- March 20, noon-1 p.m. — Introduction to EndNote
- April 9, noon-1 p.m. — Introduction to EndNote
PubMed
PubMed is one of the most robust medical literature databases, comprising more than 37 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals and online books.
By the end of a workshop, you’ll be able to:
- Build a basic search by developing search concepts
- Use Boolean Operators to connect search concepts
Open workshops (all online):
- Feb. 11, noon-1 p.m. — Introduction to PubMed
- March 19, noon-1 p.m. — Introduction to PubMed
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Many university libraries suspend their Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services during the holidays, making it difficult for us to fill our patrons requests.
For that reason, UAB Libraries will suspend our ILL services for borrowing between Friday, December 20, 2024 at 5:00 pm and Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
During that time, new requests cannot be accepted, but previously requested materials may be picked up as usual, and previously requested photocopies will be e-mailed as usual.
Patrons may check the status of their requests at any time. Some requested materials may not arrive until after the new year.
We will resume normal ILL operations by mid-day on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
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Many university libraries suspend their Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services during the holidays, making it difficult for us to fill our patrons’ requests.
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Blazers who need a laptop to complete coursework or take online exams can check one out from new kiosks located near the HUB Desks at Sterne Library and Lister Hill Library. Portable power banks also are available for on-the-go studying around each library if other power sources are unavailable.
In Sterne, six 13-in. Macbook Pro laptops and six 13-in. Dell Lattitude 5440 laptops are available, along with 12 portable battery chargers. An additional six 13-in. Dell Lattitude 5440 machines and 12 battery banks are available in Lister Hill.
“We hope these kiosks make it even easier for students to hunker down and focus on their homework or exams while in one of our libraries,” said Patricia West, assistant dean for Public Services in UAB Libraries.
Any UAB student or employee with a current ONE Card can check out devices for a four-hour period on a first-come, first-served basis; one laptop and one battery pack can be checked out simultaneously. All laptops are compatible with Proctor Testing software for online exams, and students can print from the laptops using UAB Libraries’ WEPA printers in both Sterne and Lister Hill. Each machine resets and clears all personal information and data when returned to the kiosk; laptops and battery packs should be returned to the kiosk from which they were borrowed.
There is a $25 late fee per item per day, and borrowers are responsible for a $1,500 replacement cost if not returned.
In addition to the laptop and battery kiosks, UAB Libraries’ has a robust collection of circulating technology available for checkout from the Sterne and Lister Hill HUB Desks, the LibLab at Sterne, and the Lister Hill Library Virtual Reality Studio — including additional laptops, headphones, webcams, iPads and creative tablets, portable projectors, charging cables, and more. See the full collection online.
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Three displays from UAB Archives on the third floor of Lister Hill Library exhibit a curated selection of materials highlighting both the history of UAB and the Birmingham community.
One case features unique items from Birmingham’s history, including materials on arts and entertainment, tourism, society and culture, and business — and a selection of items spotlighting the city’s Mardi Gras festivities from the past 130 plus years.
The second case holds materials related to Martha E. Pugh, one of just three women in a class of 67 to graduate from UAB’s medical school in 1965. Pugh donated materials from her time at UAB to the UAB Archives in 2007.
The third case features material related to Charles McCallum Jr., D.M.D, M.D., UAB’s third president and former dean of the School of Dentistry and vice president of Health Affairs. The selections highlight McCallum’s decades-long service to the university — including the establishment of both UAB Football and the UAB Archives.
Displays are viewable by appointment only 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; email uabarchives@uab.edu to schedule.
See a selection of featured items below.
“Mardi Gras Souvenir March,” by Phil Memoli, 1899.
This rare sheet music was printed in Birmingham and was dedicated to the grand marshall of the Birmingham Carnival Society, which held annual carnival celebrations beginning in 1896. The first Mardi Gras parade in BHM was held in March 1886 and was sponsored by the German Society of Birmingham.
UAB President McCallum takes the field at a Blazer football game, circa 1991
Football at UAB was established during McCallum’s presidency. He authorized the creation of a club-level football program in 1989, and in 1991 announced that the university would field a NCAA Division III team. In 1993, the team was moved into competition at the Division I-AA level, again under the leadership of McCallum. In 2013, McCallum was inducted in the UAB Athletics Hall of Fame in honor of his long devotion to Blazer Athletics.
Sterne Library Director Dr. Jerry W. Stephens shows Dr. Charles A. McCallum Jr., the new computer terminal at Sterne Library.
When Mervyn H. Sterne Library acquired a new computerized cataloging system in 1994, the system was named “Scotty” in honor of McCallum, a long-time library supporter. The former university president helped fund the acquisition of the system during his presidency from 1987-1993.
UAB selected as a top university, 1992.
In the Sept. 28, 1992, issue of “U.S. News & World Report,” UAB was selected in the magazine's annual best colleges collection as the No. 1 Up and Coming University in the nation. To celebrate, UAB staff placed a banner on the 13th Street pedestrian bridge over University Boulevard.
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“The ability to make decisions, communicate and govern effectively is on the line without access to political communication. We need to be able to understand what information is meant to inform, to influence, and to interfere.” —Brooke Becker, media literacy librarian for UAB Libraries
Social media posts, viral videos, emails, news articles — the incoming tide of seemingly limitless information can seem overwhelming at any time, but especially during an election season, says Brooke Becker, media literacy librarian for UAB Libraries.
“To find stable footing in that flood, it’s important to cultivate skills to determine if what you’re consuming is accurate,” she explained.
The intent of political advertising is to rally votes, generate enthusiasm for a candidate or issue, define (or redefine) a candidate’s image, and provide general information. Each of these enables constituents to make informed decisions — a crucial aspect of democracy, Becker says.
“The ability to make decisions, communicate and govern effectively is on the line without access to political communication,” Becker said. “We need to be able to understand what information is meant to inform, to influence, and to interfere.”
Consuming inaccurate information can negatively impact one’s ability to make important decisions around issues such as health, finances, business, and education — in all aspects of life, Becker explains, not just during an election season. Understanding how to determine a reliable source from an unreliable one enables consumers to make informed decisions.
Becker stresses that one of the key factors to remember in the era of social media and email is that “clear and effective communication isn’t just about exchanging information quickly.” The most important factor is the quality of a piece of information.
“Great communication requires making valid points while providing accurate examples that others can easily follow and understand,” she said.
Positivity, negativity and neutrality
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“Great communication requires making valid points while providing accurate examples that others can easily follow and understand.” |
Understanding the basic intent behind a political advertisement is crucial, Booker explains. A key component is understanding whether an ad is positive (presenting the candidate, campaign or policy in the best light), negative (emphasizing deficiencies), or neutral (presented without clear bias for or against). Here are a few questions she recommends asking when viewing an ad:
- What is the ad about?
- Is it positive, negative or neutral?
- What do you learn from it?
- Who do you think created it?
- Who do you think is the target audience?
Remember regulatory rules
The regulations on political advertisements also are necessary to keep in mind, Becker says. According to the American Bar Association, lying in political advertisements is legal — political ads are considered political speech, which is protected by the First Amendment: “The rationale behind this is that voters have a right to uncensored information from candidates, which they can then evaluate themselves before making their decisions at the ballot box,” according to the ABA website.
There are some caveats: Certain advertisements in newspapers and broadcast media require disclaimers, per the Federal Election Commission. Search engines have their own sets of specific policies (see Google’s online), and social media is governed by the terms of each platform’s specific usage agreements.
“Being familiar with the regulations around political ads and the channels you see them on is crucial to being able to separate fact from fiction,” Becker said.
The CRAAP Test
The humorously named CRAAP Test is an easy and unique way to evaluate the media one consumes, Becker says: Be sure to note an advertisement’s Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose of Sources.
- Currency: Is the source up to date? Time-sensitive topics need current information; pay attention to words like “today” or “Tuesday” and be sure to connect them to a specific date.
- Relevance: Sources should address the intended audience’s needs.
- Authority: Consider whether the author or publisher is considered trustworthy in their field and evaluate credibility by validating their expertise or reputation in a specific industry.
- Accuracy: Check that the information is supported by evidence and cited correctly; look for documented sources with specific facts and precise details.
- Purpose: Ask the question, “Why does this information exist?” Consider the motive behind publishing; the most reliable sources explain or pass along information, rather than work to persuade or sway.
Bonus tip: Remember the SIFT Method
Using the SIFT Method is another way to ensure you can differentiate between the good, the bad and the ugly when evaluating media sources, Becker explains. Developed by Mike Caufield at Washington State University, Vancouver, the method encourages consumers to Stop, Investigate, Find and Trace information when reviewing for mis- or disinformation.
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- Libraries agreements save more than $1.1 million for UAB authors who publish open access
- See a new exhibit featuring vintage political campaign materials from 1936-2000 — then create your own for a chance to be displayed in Sterne Library
- 3 new collections you can explore in Alma Digital, UAB Libraries’ new digital collections platform
- Find your next good book in the new Relax and Read Collection in Lister Hill Library