1. Metrics

1.1. Improvements to the WoS Metrics integration

We have introduced an optimization in the WoS Metrics integration in order to limit the amount of requests done by the job. It will now check if total citations have changed before querying for yearly citations.

Country-specific features

2. UK: REF

2.1. Updates to the submission page

We have updated the submission page in Pure to make this more clear and to provide a better overview of the submission process. We have also implemented the new endpoints that the REF team have created for us to upload individual files on REF2 and REF3 corroborating evidence. This means that from this release on it is possible to send all the data to the submission system. 

We still have some outstanding issues with the REF submission system which we are actively discussing with the REF team. You can check their status on the Known issues with the submission system wiki page.

2.2. Attribution of reserve outputs

We have made it possible to manually attribute reserve outputs with this release. You can do that in the Attribution section of the REF2 editor.

We have update the following summary screens with information about how many of the attributed outputs are marked as a reserve:

• REF1 a/b Summary screen
• REF2 Summary screen
• REF2 Attribution profile

Click here to read more…

 

 

2.3. REF6 - confirmed reduction

We have added a Confirmed reduction field to the REF6 Unit reduction. This way it is possible to override the calculated total reduction, which is based on the REF6 Zero outputs, and the REF6 Reductions. If a Confirmed reduction is provided, it will be used instead of the calculated value. It is still the case that the REF6 Unit Reduction must be in the last workflow step, and the Apply for reduction must be true before the value is used.

2.4. Changes to REF1b - eligible contracts

In order to match the submission system's implementation of eligible contracts for former staff (REF1b), we have changed the model slightly. Previously, the On secondment and On unpaid leave value could only be specified once for a person: now, it can be specified for each eligible contract on the REF1b editor.

2.5. Hardcopy tracking section on REF2

You can now add a URL on the REF2 (similarly to PDF). This makes it possible to enter the URL that should be sent to the REF submission system (if any). If a URL is specified, we will not take any links from the related research output, but only use the URL entered on the REF2 editor. 

The URL will also be used in the validation, so you would need to check the validation, especially for type H outputs, as the URL is mandatory for that one.

We have also changed the order used to determine which DOI from the research output should be sent to the REF submission system. The new order is as follows:

1. Final publisher's version
2. Proof
3. Accepted manuscript
4. Submitted manuscript

Click here to read more… 

The validation for DOI and PDF has been updated for type D and type E if the DOI has been marked as 'Not accessible', then a PDF must be added, this is also shown in the data to be submitted tab.

 

 

2.6. New field on REF2 - Outputs delayed due to COVID-19

In order to comply with the changes introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have added a new field on the REF2 model called Has the output been delayed by COVID-19? The default is not set.

It is possible to filter the content list on this value, and the value is also available in the reporting module, both as a value and a filter.

Click here to read more…

 

 

2.7. Removal of field on REF2 - Early online

The Early online field has been removed from the REF2 model, as this was not used for the REF2021. Data entered in this field will be deleted in upgrade. 

2.8. REF2 - content published in 2021 can be selected

We have updated the ability to propose research outputs that have a published date in 2021 to enable proposing outputs that have been delayed by COVID-19.

Since pending publication have been removed from the REF, we have removed the pending publication and the reserve for a pending publication from the REF2 model.

2.10. Highlights of Open Access compliance

We have updated the summary screen to better show which attributed outputs are not OA-compliant. This will make it easier to examine the data and get an overview of your attribution of non-compliant outputs.

2.11. REF2021 Reporting - Additional fields and filters made available

In this release, several new fields have been made available in reporting.

The following fields have been added:

• Includes research process
• Includes significant material before 2014
• Includes factual information about significance
• REF2 supplementary information DOI/URL
• Audit evidence 
• Request for double-weighting this output (max 100 words)
• Researcher's contribution
• Additional information (statement)
• Output language other than English 
• Provide short abstract in English
• Publication year override reason