This document provides an overview and summary of the UK PubMed Central (UKPMC) and the Research Information Centre (RIC). UKPMC is a digital archive of biomedical literature that aims to establish a comprehensive repository of UK-funded research. The RIC builds on a virtual research environment project to better support the research lifecycle through integrated search, collaboration tools, and management of research objects. Initial feedback on the RIC prototype was positive and suggested enhancements to functionality and pre-populated resources to better serve researcher needs. Future plans include completing the research lifecycle in the prototype and customizing it for different domains.

1. ukpmc.ac.uk
Current developments, future plans
(plus quick overview of the RIC)
UHMLG Spring Forum
Woburn House Conference Centre
March 9th, 2009
Paul Davey,
UK PubMed Central Engagement Manager

2. ukpmc.ac.uk 2UHMLG Spring Forum
What is UK PubMed Central?
Originally a mirror site of National Institutes of Health PubMed Central, a
free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journals
(established in 2000)
Full-text articles (as opposed to PubMed, which provides links to journal
abstracts and link-out to full text articles in PubMed Central) from
peer-reviewed biomedical and health research journals (must reach
National Library of Medicine standards)
Access to 1.4 million+ full-text articles and 18 million+ article abstracts
(through PubMed)
Links to other databases, e.g. NIH MedLine and Genbank accessed
through Entrez search engine
A development programme (more later)

3. ukpmc.ac.uk 3UHMLG Spring Forum
Why should there be a UK PubMed Central?
Cutting down, where possible, duplication of research activity
Adding to a global resource, by working with the UK’s leading biomedical
and health research organisations and charities
Drawing upon considerable experience of activities undertaken already at
National Library of Medicine, NCBI and National Institutes of Health
Developing a resource driven by the needs of the UK research community

4. ukpmc.ac.uk 4UHMLG Spring Forum
UK PubMed Central funders

5. ukpmc.ac.uk 5UHMLG Spring Forum
Mission for UK PubMed Central
To become the information resource of choice for the UK biomedical and
health research community by:
Establishing a comprehensive sustainable repository for UK-funded
research outputs
Improving information retrieval and knowledge discovery through the
development of text and data-mining solutions
Providing access to additional content that integrates seamlessly into
the UKPMC website
Creating comprehensive analysis and reporting tools for researchers
and funders to inform strategy and policy making

6. ukpmc.ac.uk 6UHMLG Spring Forum
Partner’s development programme
European Bioinformatics Institute: Providing comprehensive
bibliographic data (PubMed, patents etc) to the UKPMC search
system (e.g. by linking to their CiteXplore database)
With NaCTeM, analysing full-text articles in UKPMC to extract biological
entities and link them to relevant databases
British Library: Brings expertise in identification and cataloguing of
additional content to augment the research publications
Mimas at University of Manchester: Developing grant-related
information for funders and grantees, assisting in technical
integration, whilst ensuring service continuity throughout

7. ukpmc.ac.uk 7UHMLG Spring Forum
The Department of Health view
Research Government framework – clear government policy to provide
free access to research being undertaken and its findings (following
appropriate review)
Preservation of research outputs for current, and future, generations to
access
Development of systems which will link to UK PubMed Central to
Department of Health’s own systems through NIHR
Electronic copies of any research papers accepted for publication must be
submitted to UK PubMed Central within six months of publication

8. ukpmc.ac.uk 8UHMLG Spring Forum
Some challenges for engagement and addressing these
Challenges
Differentiation with US counterpart
Disenfranchising our users
Researchers commitments to
submit their material to UKPMC
Some ways to address
Consultation with user community;
working closely with NCBI sharing
information etc.;
Outline benefits to researchers: citation
and visibility, cuts down duplication,
working with them to develop the
resource
Work closely with funders: we need to
demonstrate the value they are getting
from their investment

9. ukpmc.ac.uk 9UHMLG Spring Forum
Some endorsements
“The Department of Health has supported the concept of UK PubMed
Central since the outset. It offers a valuable resource to the UK and
international research communities…”
(Professor Dame Sally C. Davies)

10. ukpmc.ac.uk 10UHMLG Spring Forum
So, again, what is important about it?
We have the backing of key funders in the UK, and the foundations of
an exciting working relationship with the NIHR
In the longer term, will enable researchers to become more efficient
and effective
Developing a UK identity that builds upon world-wide recognition of
PubMed Central in the United States
We have the opportunity for our colleagues in the US to gain a valuable
insight into how PubMed Central could grow into a ‘culturally driven’
resource with the advantages of linking to research undertaken
anywhere in the world
Our development will be informed by the UK’s research community

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The Research Information Centre
 Builds on a University of Leeds VRE project
 included defining the role of libraries in managing VRE outputs
 Enables direct engagement with the STM community
 better understand their needs as a result
 Explores new ways in which users interact with content and metadata
 Web 2.0, social networking sites
 “Closing the loop”
 information management throughout the research lifecycle
 Supporting our strategic objective by helping make research more efficient
 A collaboration with Microsoft

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The Research Information Centre – the research lifecycle
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Project objectives
 Identify information sources, tools and services to support
STM research
 allow users to populate with additional sources, services etc
 Explore the application of new services
 collaborative filtering of literature; continual queries
 Identify common functional requirements for a VRE
 enable prototype to be easily repurposed
 Build on commercial software, to extent possible
 with support for interoperability
 Intuitive to use and navigate; user configurable
 “If I can’t figure it out in 15 minutes, I will quit using it”

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Where we are now
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 A biomedical prototype
 major open access databases in integrated search
 links to biomedical funding bodies
 use as a model for other domains
 First closed beta release May 2008
 search/discover and funding
 collaboration and storage
 24 diverse groups tested July-Sep 2008
 Feedback collated Oct 2008

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Initial feedback
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 Key value of RIC VRE is sharing and managing research objects across
networked team
 The concept of a federated search service was well accepted.
 Rating and annotating research objects, transfer to/from social network sites
was a hit.
 Confirmed value of a personal project repository: papers, references to
bookmarks.
 Slide library, bibliographic formatting tool were very well received
 Users want assurances data will be secure, by a neutral and trusted service
provider.
 Ambivalence about threaded discussions, perhaps a generation related issue.
 We underestimated value of pre-populated information resources – they want
all…
 Would best serve groups not already well supported by information
management tools

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Where next
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 Complete lifecycle functionality
 Enhancements of existing functionality in light of feedback
 Modularisation of codebase to enable development and
customisation
 Domain-specific population of resources
 partnership with biomedical organisations
 prototype in environmental sciences
For more information about the Research Information Centre,
contact Stephen Andrews, stephen.andrews@bl.uk