Universities worldwide are increasingly driven by the need to improve their research performance. This involves attracting, supporting and retaining the best researchers. The provision of good facilities and good research support helps keep good researchers from leaving. But in lean times, how can this be done efficiently and cost-effectively?

Research support services in UK universities is a CIBER study for the UK Research Information Network. It describes the provision and the use of information-related support services for researchers in 4 UK research-intensive universities: Leicester, University College London (UCL), Warwick and York.

The report looked at the need for support across the life cycle of research from generating and developing ideas, projects and proposals, to securing funding, experimenting and carrying out research, through to dissemination and publication and finally the institutional management of research.

The report found that support is largely lacking in the middle - where intensive research activity takes place. "This is largely because the research endeavour itself is highly specialised ... Many, if not most, researchers prefer to conduct their research in their own way, with as little institutional advice and support - or interference - as possible. There is, however, a demand for simple tools that facilitate the sharing of documents and data..."

"A key area of concern for both researchers and institutional managers is the management, curation and preservation of research data. Most researchers receive relatively little support in this area, but there is a growing awareness that much needs to be done."